The ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) has accorded an in-principle approval to the Girnar Ropeway project in Gujarat that was hanging fire since September 1995.
In its recent announcement, the MoEF informed that the ropeway project would minimize man-animal conflict in the Girnar wildlife sanctuary and it would also provide a convenient way for transportation of pilgrims to the holy spot on Mount Girnar. Jairam Ramesh, union minister for environment and forests, stated in a press release, "Although I have received numerous representations against the ropeway on environmental grounds (primarily the anticipated adverse impacts on vulture habitats), I have seen for myself the strong reasons to build the ropeway. It (the ropeway) would also put an end to socially unacceptable modes of transportation (the dolis) that are being used presently," he added.
The approval has been given subject to six specific conditions, which include minimum disturbance for long-billed vulture i.e. Girnari Giddh habitat, cafeteria for vultures, increase in height of two towers along the ropeway and cess on ticket turn-over revenue for conservation related activities. The matter of construction of ropeway from Bhavnath Taleti to Ambaji temple was under consideration for over a year.
