Girnar Ropeway Project - design will be made in Austria

After finally getting the Centre's nod, the Girnar Mountain Ropeway Project is going global. With the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) giving a green signal to the original plan, the ropeway project will now be designed in the European country Austria.

While Usha Breco Limited(UBL) will be handling the construction of Girnar Parvat Ropeway, its technical partner company Doppelmayr will be designing the project.

Marred by a series of controversies, the project had been stalled for the past 16 years due to environment concerns. Now after all kind of clearances from the government, construction work on the project will take off in next six months.

About 38 cabins will play on the rope which can carry 1000 people per hour. As per Latest Deepak Kaplish Interviews, who is project incharge, Usha Breco Limited said that, "Design of the Girnar ropeway will be made in Austria and it will be one of India's state of-the-art works of design. We will send our engineer to Austria and discuss the location and undertake the paperwork of ropeway design."

The Girnar Parvat Ropeway project will cost about Rs 100 crore and will be completed in two and half years after the work on the ropeway building begins. This means that Saurashtra and Gujarat will have to wait at least three more years before the project commissions.

Usha Breco Limited (UBL) was established in the year 1969 as a joint venture between Usha Martin Industries Limited, India then the largest wire rope manufacturers in Asia and now the second largest in the world and British Ropeway Engineering Co. Ltd. (BRECO), U.K.

Meanwhile, Doppelmayr Group has production facilities and sales and service locations in over 33 countries of the world and has built more than 14,100 installations in over 83 countries till date. Doppelmayr Italia GmbH was awarded the contract for the construction of the new ropeway on the Mont Blanc.

This is the biggest order so far for the South Tyrolean Company which has its headquarters in Lana. The total order value is of EUR 105 million and now the group will provide its service to the Girnar ropeway as well.

Girnar Ropeway Project – Gets Green Signal

When the union ministry of environment and forest gave the final go-ahead for the Girnar Ropeway Project Especially for Junagadh City District and Gujarat Tourism, despite one of the main pre-conditions - that of re-aligning the towers to avoid the vultures' breeding sites — not being altered by the state government, the forest officials in Gujarat heaved a sigh of relief.

As per Latest Environment Forest Principal Secretary SK Nanda Interviews, he said that, it is not feasible to re-align the route, but the other pre-conditions will be met.

He also said that, "A monitoring committee will be set up to supervise the progress of the work. In a unique initiative, cameras will be installed in the top and middle station to understand what time the birds move around in different seasons and the trolleys will be rescheduled accordingly."

The project has been in the pipeline for nearly 15 years now, but it gained momentum in the last three years as the number of pilgrims to the holy Girnar Shrine on the top of the hill increased.
Naturalists in the region claim the site, where the ropeway is designed to come up, passes through the nesting sites of the extremely endangered 69 Girnari Geedh (vulture) nests.

Moreover, the Girnar reserve forest has been declared a wildlife sanctuary in 2008 and is home to around 25 Asiatic Lions, as per the census of 2010.

Both the political parties have been pitching for the ropeway and when the final announcement came on Monday afternoon, Congress immediately took the credit for it by circulating the news and issuing a press statement thanking the MoEF.

The work on the Ropeway is expected to start soon and it is expected to conclude in approximately a year's time.

Nanda added that a cess of Rs5 will be charged on the ticket which will be used for the conservation of the lions and vultures.

Girnar Mountain Parvat Hill Ropeway Project News Gujarat India

Ramesh to visit Mount Girnar to take stock of ropeway project.

With the environmental panel’s nod, the ropeway project at Mount Girnar in Junagadh now awaits the green signal from the Wildlife Panel, appointed by the Union Ministry of Forest and Environment — following objections by the National Board of Wildlife.

Union Minister for Forest and Environment Jairam Ramesh is likely to visit Junagadh to take stock of the situation before the Wildlife Panel takes its decision. 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 Breco Limited, each with a capacity of eight passengers, will pass over 1,700 meters 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 have 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 favor. Home to the Asiatic lions, Girnar forest is spread across 1,800 square kilometer.

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 commercialize an important religious site.

Girnar Mountain Parvat Temples Ropeway Project Junagadh News Gujarat India

Girnar Ropeway Project to temple put on hold to "save" vultures.

The Center has put on hold the proposed parvat ropeway project to Gujarat's religious shrine atop Mount Girnar citing threat to the nesting of endangered vultures in the region.

The Standing Committee of National Board for Wildlife chaired by union environment minister Jairam Ramesh at a recent meeting has asked a team of conservationists to visit the site and study the impact of the proposed project before deciding its fate.

"Girnar wildlife sanctuary is the only known colony of long-billed vultures in Gujarat. If the ropeway passes through the trees housing vulture nests, it will be a disaster," Asad Rehmani, a prominent conservationist from Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and committee member, said.

He said 121 vultures (long-billed and white-beaked species vultures) were counted in the region in 2005 which have declined to 79, according to the 2007 census.

He said the environment impact assessment report submitted by a private firm Usha Breco Ltd seeking to construct the ropeway was not factually correct with particular reference to faunal diversity of the area.

The committee also observed the project seeking diversion of around seven hectares of Girnar forest land was yet to get environmental clearance.

However, the Gujarat Wildlife Department, strongly arguing in favor of the project, said it would only ease the pressure on the wildlife created by visiting devotees who currently pass through the jungle to reach the holy shrine atop Girnar Parvat, Junagadh City.

Girnar Mountain Parvat Temples Ropeway Project Junagadh News Gujarat India

Politics has taken front seat in the controversial Girnar Ropeway Project which plans constructing a ropeway to the Girnar shrine through the Gir sanctuary.

After much legal debate in Gujarat, the project is now finally awaiting clearance from the National Board for Wildlife in India. Activists in the state have raised a serious alarm over disturbing the vulture nests falling on the way of the proposed ropeway.

The state's ruling party BJP is lobbying for the clearance of the project, citing huge tourism opportunities for the locals of Junagadh.

However, at the Board's latest meeting on Wednesday, the issue "boomeranged" for the party, whose workers in Junagadh have been pushing for the approval of the project since decades.

Union minister of state, forest and environment, Jairam Ramesh said he would visit the site himself for inspection before giving approval. The political implications of this might prove tricky for BJP's MLA Mahendra Mashru, who is championing the cause of the Junagadh residents.

"He will have to host a Congress minister's visit to his constituency to get the permission," an activist close to the developments said, adding that after winning the Junagadh Corporation Elections, the Congress workers are active in the constituency and are expected to take credit of the clearance of the project.

"This will not serve the BJP's political purpose at all, but they are in a spot over this," he said.

Forest officials have admitted that over 12,000 trees are likely to be chopped for the project. After claiming that there are 'no' vulture nests in these trees to be affected by the ropeway project, the company constructing the ropeway has admitted in a written communication to NBWL of vulture nests in the region.

In the last meeting of NBWL in July, it was decided to get an expert report on the site.

The report conceded that several vulture nests will be permanently damaged because of the ropeway. An alternated route has been suggested in the report.

Feasibility of the alternate route is also expected to be examined during the minister's visit.

Girnar Parvat Temples Mountain Ropeway Project Junagadh News Gujarat India

Garvo Gadh Girnar

Memorandum supports early start of Girnar Ropeway Project.

Junagadh BJP legislator Mahendra Mashru has prepared a memorandum bearing one lakh signatures as support for the early commencement of the ambitious ropeway project on Girnar Mountain.

“A book carrying signatures of one lakh people has been prepared after the successful signature drive carried out in city center during last week. We will submit the memorandum to the Prime Minister and ask for the implementation of the ropeway project,” said Mashru.

He said the memorandum will be sent to New Delhi through the proper channel.

On the completion of the drive, the book carrying one lakh signatures was put up for public notice and a function was organized at the Red Cross hall in the city centre on Saturday. Some youths present at the function had even sprinkled drops of blood on the book wrapper, according to sources.

According to the memorandum, the ropeway project will help reduce pollution on Girnar Mountain. It will also not prove harmful to the environment.

Lakhs of people visit Girnar Mountain every year.

Historical Girnar Temples Mountain Ropeway Project Junagadh Gujarat India

Girnar Ropeway Project - Sadhus to take to streets over delay in project.

Junagadh-based All India Sadhu Samaj has decided to take to the streets over the delay in the implementation of the aerial Ropeway project at Mount Girnar. Some 45 renowned Sadhus, Mahants and temple heads of the region will lead the ‘Rasta-Roko’ (road block) agitation at Vanthali Gate area of the city on Friday.

Political parties, including BJP, Congress, CPM and BSP, various youth organizations and NGOs will also take part in the protest to register their support. Remove Formatting from selection

All India Sadhu Samaj (Gujarat Chapter) president Mahant Gopalanand said: “Despite being cleared at various stages, the Ropeway project is being delayed for some reason or the other. Moreover, no political leader is coming forward to take up the issue. So, we have decided to raise the issue with the support of all sections of the society.”

He added: “After the agitation, office bearers of our New Delhi head office will take up the issue with the concerned minister and department.”

While supporting the move of the All India Sadhu Samaj, Satish Captain, Mayor, Junagadh Municipal Corporation, said: “We have already taken up the issue with the concerned authorities. We have written letters asking them to speed up the project.”

City BJP president, Karsan Dhadook, said: “The BJP is supporting the agitation. We will give them full support as joint efforts are needed for the realization of this project.”

Dhadook, however, accused the Congress of politicizing the issue. “The ball is now in the Center court.

If Congressmen put pressure on the party, there is a chance of the project being implemented soon,” he said. A meeting, presided over by the Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh, will be held in New Delhi on September 10 to discuss the pros and cons of the project.

“If we fail to submit our case, the ropeway project will never see light of the day,” Dhadook said, adding that the BJP is planning to start a signature movement in support of the project.

Meanwhile, leaflets bearing the names of the mahants,

Organizations and individuals participating in the agitation were distributed in Junagadh on Wednesday, asking the general public to support Friday’s agitation.

Junagadh City Gujarat India News- Girnar Temple Ropeway Project

Delegation presses for early start of Girnar Ropeway Project.

A delegation led by Junagadh legislator, Mahendra Mashru, arrived at Gandhinagar on Tuesday to press for the early commencement of ground work for the ambitious Ropeway project at Girnar Mountain near Junagadh City.

They will make their submission before the consultant of the National Wildlife Board of India.

The delegation comprises representatives of the Junagadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry, BJP office bearers, Sadhu Samaj and other NGOs supporting the Ropeway project.

Mashru said: “Tuesday’s meeting was scheduled between the local delegation and consulting members of the National Wildlife Board of India. It was aimed at discussing the obstacles in the ropeway project and to clear the doubts raised by some NGOs working in the field of environment and wildlife.”

According to Mahendra Mashru, few nature clubs and environmentalists have raised objections to the project, pointing at the possible damage to wildlife and environment.

“We have made our submissions and cleared the doubts raised during our meeting with the consultant of the National Wildlife Board of India.”

Junagadh city BJP unit president, Karsan Dhadook, said: “We have made it clear that the ropeway project will not harm wildlife or environment. Besides, it will help reduce the damage presently occurring in the absence of the ropeway.”

Mahant Tansukhgiri, a member of the delegation, said: “Some NGOs are putting obstacles. Our view is that before considering their grievances, our opinion should be taken into consideration.”

Sources said the National Wildlife Board of India is scheduled to meet on September 11 in New Delhi during which the issue of the said ropeway project will be discussed.

Junagadh City Information – Girnar Mountain Parvat Ropeway Project

Will Girnar ropeway hit vulture breeding sites?

The proposed ropeway to the religious shrine atop Mount Girnar has outraged environmentalists who believe that the decision to promote Junagadh tourism will come at a huge cost to endangered wildlife such as Asiatic lions and vultures.

However, the forest department, expressing equal concern for the fauna's well-being, is confident that the ropeway will not disturb the wildlife in the region. If anything, the department argues, it will only ease the pressure on the wildlife created by visiting devotees who currently pass through the jungle to reach the holy shrine atop Girnar.

Naturalist Manish Vaidya, who had filed a petition in Gujarat High Court contesting the decision to build a ropeway nearly a decade back, had contended that the ropeway would disturb the lion and vulture habitat. Last month, the wildlife board cleared the project, which has now been sent to the Union ministry of environment and forests for approval. In a letter written to state foresters, environmentalists from the region said the ropeway project would bring more crowds to the mountains for picnics. "The picnicker will bring along plastic pouches and bottles and most probably throw them around here. Strong winds will then take the plastic to the forest area," they said.

"If the ropeway passes through the trees housing vulture nests, it will be a disaster. According to the last census, 79 vultures were counted in the region. Isn't it alarming enough that the vulture population has reduced to half of the 2005 in the 2007 estimate?" Vaidya said.

Another environmentalist from the region, closely involved in the vulture counting process along with the forest department, said, "We had noticed a spectacular breeding colony of long billed species of vultures on Mount Girnar. If the ropeway passes through their colonies, the vultures would certainly be disturbed," he said. The foresters, however, claim that they are conscious of the vulture breeding colony there and a detailed study conducted long back when the ropeway was first proposed says vulture colonies will not be affected.

"The ropeway will also ease the pressure on the lions, as thousands of devotees spending five-six hours climbing through the forest to the shrine cannot be controlled right now," principal chief conservator of forest Pradip Khanna said. In fact, he pointed out that Gujarat was perhaps the only state in India that has taken intensive projects for vulture conservation. Information supplied by the forest department under the Right to Information Act had revealed that Rs84 lakh has been spent by the state over the past five years through grants received by state and central government.

"A huge chunk of this has been spent on the vulture breeding centre in Junagadh through the Sakkarbaug Zoo," Khanna added.

Junagadh City News – Girnar Mountain Ropeway Project

Ropeway project to begin soon between Girnar Parvat Taleti and Ambaji.

The project for providing aerial ropeway service between Girnar Mountain Taleti and Ambaji, about 3,300 feet above sea level, is likely to begin soon. It was earlier stopped after environmentalists objected to the use of the belonging to the sloth bear sanctuary for the project. The Rs 70-crore project was conceived two years ago.

Asked about the delay in the project, Junagadh District Collector Aswini Kumar said, “It was not because of administrative reasons. The company was carrying out its own feasibility studies.”Now, the Gujarat Tourism Corporation Limited (GTCL) has decided to generate public opinion to install aerial ropeway in Junagadh after a public hearing on June 3. The Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has decided to conduct a public hearing in which locals as well as environmentalists will be invited to air their views and suggestions.

The report submitted by Usha Breco Ltd, which is the project implementing agency, has said that during construction phase, forest land will be converted for non-forest purpose, which will cause minimal damage to flora and fauna.“This will be compensated by carrying out plantation in an area of 7.29 hectares. Operation Phase Analysis of abiotic factors reveals that ambient air and water quality will remain practically unaffected, thus indirect adverse impact on flora and fauna is ruled out.”

Pravin Sheth, an environmentalist who was assigned the task of analyzing the report submitted by Usha Breco, said, “The ropeway will be a blessing to those pilgrims who are not in a position to climb all the way up to Ambaji and Jain temples. Children, senior citizens, asthma and arthritis patients will also be benefited; tourists will also be attracted.”

Junagadh City News – Girnar Ropeway Project

Environmentalists to file PIL against ropeway project at Girnar Parvat.

Environmentalists fear that the proposed aerial ropeway project at Mount Girnar can pose a big threat to ecology in the area.

Girnar is home to nearly 10 Asiatic lions and is also an important roosting and nesting site for vultures.

While public hearing for clearance of the project is scheduled on June 6,Gujarat Nature Club (GNC), an environmental NGO is set to protest against the project.

GNC has also planned to file a public interest litigation in the High court.The fact that over 7 hectares of forest area costing around Rs 89.31 crore has been diverted for the project has raised many eyebrows.

Ropeway service cabins, each having a capacity to accommodate 8 passengers, will pass through over 1,700 meters of forest area.

According to project details, 1,000 passengers will be carried in ropeway cabins in an hour. The service will start from Girnar foothills and end near Ambaji Temple at the top of the Girnar mountain.

While the service providing company along with the forest department has agreed for compensatory afforestation in over 7 hectares of land in Toraniya plot, the damage to the ecology in the area cannot be ruled out, said environmentalists.

“The area surrounding the project site is home to at least 10 Asiatic lions. The project will disturb their normal life,” said Amit Jethava, the president of GNC.

He said, “Girnar is also an important rooting and nesting site for Schedule-I vultures. The project can pose a big threat to the site.” He said that as per the last census, there were 79 vultures at Girnar.

The GNC said that besides opposing the project during the public hearing, they will also take legal routes.