Reimaging the fading mountain landscapes: a case of Idar, Sabarkantha, Gujarat

Abstract

Every Place has a hero- something that the people of the place can brag about. This hero can be a river, a mountain, a miracle, a saint, a demon, a leader or a myth. This one story about the hero ties the people of the place together. The mountain town of Idar is located at the southern tip of the Aravalli range. The hero of this place is the granite stone boulder mountain- a rear beauty. The landform dominates the composition of the town. The idea is about designing the lens to frame this unique mountainous townscape, its rich aesthetic value, cultural value, religious associations, historical significance, geological importance, an ecological resource and their association with the dwellers and fascination amongst the transients. The trends in negotiations between nature and man have been changing rapidly. Therefore, there is a need to find efficient ways to increase everyone’s awareness and understanding of the wide range of landscape issues. The identification of these issues also helps in establishing the role of a landscape architect, as the significance of their expertise is unknown in developing countries as ours. Idar, experiences a disconnect from the people as well as the administration. Larger ideas that paint the essence of the place, establish an identity, increase legibility, highlights the landmarks, promotes involvement, improves economic life, enhances social life, exhibits serene landscape experiences and creates a harmonious balance between man and nature: are the key promoters of this Project. Open spaces in Idar are less. And the few open spaces that exist are experiencing a significant decline in use. In general, public spaces have been experiencing a “backing off” and release in terms of their use. Therefore, the concerns about “placeless- ness” are steadily increasing, as well as about the absence or loss of its meaning, its consequences and the decline. Also, this promotes allied activities in such spaces leading to complete ignorance to the space in terms of use as well as maintenance. Landscape scale has the potential to provide solutions at the levels of open spaces and the foot hill transitional spaces that are facing immense ignorance. The interaction between human beings and the physical environment dictates the cultural relationship people have with the place. This research intends to evoke people and explain the emergence of nature and its capacity of sustenance. The thesis will highlight the traits of over exploitation of resources, ignorance to the existing scenic beauty and the insensitive approaches towards development. Thus, making a conscious effort in creating awareness about the physical environment amongst people. Community sense and unity can be established based on developing similar interests amongst people.