City-based environmentalist Nitish Priyadarshi has expressed concern over the cutting of rocks at Rock Garden on Kanke Road for the development of a parking area.

“This is not justified. The rocks present here are part of a geological heritage and should be preserved at any cost,” Priyadarshi told The Telegraph on Saturday, adding that the cutting of rocks was unnecessary because the popular tourist spot already has the capacity to park around 50 four-wheelers and 150 two-wheelers at a time.

Located on Gonda hill and considered one of the most attractive hangouts in the capital, the rock garden falls under the jurisdiction of Ranchi Regional Development Authority (RRDA).

The garden, which is modelled on its Jaipur counterpart, has sculptures carved out of rocks, faux waterfalls and a swing.

“The rocks were being cut till two days ago. After nature lovers and local residents began raising their voices, the work was stopped,” a local resident told this newspaper.

Asked to comment on the issue, deputy commissioner Rai Mahimapat Ray said RMC would be the able to provide information on the matter.

RMC municipal commissioner Manoj Kumar passed the buck on RRDA. “We do not look after the garden. The RRDA had handed over the maintenance of the garden to a Calcutta-based company,” Kumar said.

An RMC official supported Kumar. “The RRDA had given the responsibility of maintaining the garden to M/s Nerve Knock Park Theme Pvt Ltd on a build-operate-and-transfer basis on a 21-year lease in 1998. The company had agreed to pay Rs 12 lakh to RRDA every year and invest Rs 10 crore to develop the rock garden,” the RMC official, who was transferred from the RRDA three years ago, said.

RRDA estate officer Mohammed Aftab Ahmed said the rocks were not being cut.

“We have a plan to construct a gate and beautify its front portion. To the best of my knowledge, the work has not been started yet. However, the matter will be looked into.”