Ramesh to visit Mount Girnar to take stock of ropeway project

The minister’s visit will focus on the project’s impact on the vulture population in the region,given its importance as a roosting and nesting centre. He is scheduled to conduct a survey of the site.

S K Nanda,state Principal Secretary,Forest and Environment,said: “The minister is likely to visit on December 5. He will check if the project threatens the birds.”

Over 7 hectares of forest area has been diverted for the project at an investment of Rs 89.31 crore,which has raised many eyebrows.

Ropeway service cabins by Usha Berco Limited,each with a capacity of eight passengers,will pass over 1,700 metres of forest land. The ropeway,with a capacity of 1,000 passengers per hour,will start from the Girnar foothills and terminate near the Ambaji Temple at the top of mountain.

Though the company and the Forest Department has carried out compensatory afforestation on 7 hectares in Toraniya plot,environmental groups have expressed apprehension over the damage to ecology. According to the Gir Nature Club,vulture is a Schedule-I bird and the project will cause disturbance.

Planned in 1968,the project has been delayed for various reasons.

After a foundation stone was laid by Chief Minister Narendra Modi in 2007,the National Board for Wildlife had deferred its decision to approve the state government project in spite of the strong representation by the state in its favour.

Home to the Asiatic lions,Girnar forest is spread across 1,800 square kilometre. It includes Mount Girnar,which is an important pilgrimage place,especially for the Jain community.

Earlier,a section of Jains was against the project as the ropeway service would commercialise an important religious site.