Demolition of the wall of an iconic rock garden in progress for widening of the road in Punjab and Haryana High court site on Sunday in Chandigarh. (Express Photo by Kamleshwar Singh)In the backdrop of the demolition of a part of the world-famous Rock Garden, the damage of a section of the wall in Phase 3 and cutting down of hundreds of trees for a road-widening project to facilitate the expansion of the parking at the Punjab and Haryana High Court, two public petitions were launched Monday by the citizens of Chandigarh to demand immediate cessation of all demolition activities in and around the Rock Garden and its forested surroundings.One petition on Change.org has been started by Priyanka Saini, the granddaughter of Nek Chand, who shares the vision of Nek Chand, the history of Rock Garden, its making and how in 1989 thousands of residents formed a human chain, successfully halting demolition efforts of the Rock Garden. The petition calls for the citizens of Chandigarh to defend what is rightfully theirs. It urges the Administration to cease all demolition activities in and around the Rock Garden and its forested surroundings. Among the other demands are a comprehensive restoration plan, funding allocated to enhance and expand the Rock Garden, its recognition as a protected national heritage site, to prevent future encroachments and environmental preservation measures. The petition urges citizens to demand action from the Chandigarh Administration, Punjab and Haryana High Court, and the Government of India to together preserve the artistic and environmental legacy of Nek Chand.“With a heavy heart, I try to make sense of what’s happening to the Rock Garden in Chandigarh. The art my grandfather, Nek Chand, gifted to the world is beyond remarkable — not just in its beauty but in its vision. At a time when sustainability wasn’t even a conversation, he built an entire world out of discarded waste, proving that art, creativity, and preservation can go hand in hand.And now, when India is striving toward sustainability, self-reliance, and environmental consciousness, how can we allow this destruction to take place? Instead of tearing down his legacy, we should be expanding it. Our country has barren land, mounting waste, and an urgent need for meaningful projects. Why not collect what isn’t biodegradable and create something even greater — something that aligns with my grandfather’s dream? I want to be part of a larger movement to preserve and grow this vision across India. This isn’t just about a wall —it’s about what we stand for as a nation. I hope this conversation sparks action before it’s too late,” says Priyanka, who works in the field of AI in Silicon Valley, CA, USA.The immediate intent, she adds, is to stop the demolition and further construction around Rock Garden for urban expansion, for the Rock Garden is a national treasure. “We call upon every Indian to take a stand —stop this destruction, seek judicial intervention, and demand that the High Court recognises the Rock Garden as a protected cultural and environmental landmark. Instead of tearing it down, we should be expanding this vision to other cities, turning waste into art across India.”Anuj Saini, son of Nek Chand, says that he is distressed and helpless about the entire situation and how it has unfolded in the last few days.In another petition of ‘Saving Chandigarh’ by citizens, the demand from the authorities is to first halt further demolition and tree cutting at the Rock Garden and conduct a transparent public consultation on the proposed project. Environmental activist Samita Kaur, who is part of this campaign, says that the decision-makers must consider sustainable alternatives like shuttle buses, and multi-level parking for congestion-related issues and provide citizens access to a detailed project report and environmental impact assessment to ensure transparency and accountability. The petition points out that there is no indication that the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has approved this project, and while the High Court ordered road expansion, it never mandated the demolition of the Rock Garden.Story continues below this adNoor Dasmesh Singh, architect and urbanist, says whatever the logic of road widening and creating extra parking for vehicles, no justification may allow for this move. “In 1989, a symbolic ‘Chipko movement’, for resisting the demolition of this very stretch of the Rock Garden may not have had enough impact on the Administration that they again went ahead to realise this singular idea of destruction of built heritage to achieve their goal of a wider road and additional parking. Some old trees are also getting axed in the process which is unpardonable. This act seems like a betrayal because this operation seems to have been conducted clandestinely and there was no attempt whatsoever to solicit public opinion or the involvement of the civil society who feel a sense of personal attachment to the heritage of the city,” he adds.Deepika Gandhi, architect and former director of the Architecture Museum, Chandigarh, says that heritage and progress are not antonyms, and “we need to identify what is critical to be preserved and work around that to implement whatever is needed functionally”. “I am sure the profile of the road could have been worked out without damaging the Rock Garden. The need of the hour is to look closer at our governance, policies, and shortcomings instead of saying that our heritage is limiting the city’s growth”.© The Indian Express Pvt LtdTags:chandigarhrock garden