Junagadh Agricultural University - plan Cattle Breeding Farm at Amreli

Junagadh Agricultural University (JAU) is planning to set up a Bull Mother Farm to upgrade the Gir breed of cow and Jafrabadi breed of buffalo at Pratappura village in Amreli district which will rear high pedigree bulls and will supply doses of their semen across the Gujarat state and India.

Gujarat State Agriculture Minister Dilip Sanghani laid the foundation stone of the farm before few days ago.

The farm is expected to be operational within a year.

The project is under the state government.

The farm will come up on 30 hectares of land. The total project outlay is Rs 17.94 crore.

As per Latest Dr PU Gajbhiye Interviews, who is Reseach Scientist at Cattle Breeding Farm of JAU in Junagadh City said that,

“We will raise 200 cows and buffaloes each at the farm. High pedigree bulls will be identified from these herds and their semen doses will be supplied to cattle breeders and dairy farmers of the region for artificial insemination (AI).”

“Ideally, a bull can serve maximum three females per week. However, 1,000 doses of semen can be prepared AI from one-time semen fliching from a bull. This will help raise a high pedigree of milch animals.”

Both the breeds, native to Saurashtra region, are high yielding.

“A Gir cow yields seven to eight lit res of milk every day and the fat content is 4.5 per cent. On the other hand, a Jafrabadi buffalo gives eight to nine liters milk per day and the fat content is as high as 10 per cent to 12 per cent"

As per Latest Dr AJ Kachhia Interviews, who is director of state animal husbandry department said that, “The aim of the farm is to upgrade the two breeds by way of rearing high pedigree bulls and meet the demand for their semen in Gujarat and other states like Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh etc.”

Minister Sanghani also said in a release on Wednesday that farmers and dairymen of the region would get benefit from the farm as milk productivity of their animal would go up with the upgradation in the breed.

Girnar Parikrama 2011 – Junagadh City ma Tyari Chalu Thai Gai Chche

All we Gujaratis especially “Kathiyavadi” already know about Girnar Parikrama 2011 – From 6th November onwards.

So Junagadh district authorities have made adequate arrangmets for the famous "Lili Parikrama" (Green walk) around Girnar Parvat
Nearly 30 lakh people from various parts of the country are expected to take part in the five-day long walk across the 36 km long route.

As per Latest B K Srimali Interviews who is Junagadh range IG, said that, 800 policemen would be deployed along the route.

While nearly 100 personnel from the forest department would also be put on duty as the route is passing through the forest and the forest guards would keep close track of wild animals.
Gujarat State Road Transport Corporation would press over 150 buses in service.

Junagadh Saurashtra – Kathiyavadi Ghoda na conservation Vishe

Genetists at Anand Agricultural University are helping the Government of Gujarat promote breeding of the State's indigenous “Kathiyavadi” horse among private horse owners.

As per Professor D.N. Rank Interviews, who is Professor of Animal Genetics at the Veterinary College at Anand Agricultural University, “Any indigenous breed is declared by the Central government to be endangered if its numbers fall below 10,000; and the Kathiyavadi horse from Gujarat falls in this category.”

“Horses are becoming quite a craze among the neo rich who are now visiting animal fairs like the annual one at Pushkar.”

The wealthy, who own farmhouses, now come from Gujarat, Rajasthan, Punjab and Maharashtra to attend animal fairs in the western region looking for horses to buy, he said.

Fifty years ago, the horse was used as a utility animal. Ownership of horses was also a tradition among the princely families, and a good many of the horses owned were Kathiyavadi.

Currently, the demand among the newly rich is for thoroughbreds (the kind used as race horses) and not indigenous breeds like the Kathiyavadi or Marwari which are not that tall.

“We are trying to popularize ownership of the Kathiyavadi to encourage conservation of the breed. We cannot force people to keep them, but we can only create awareness,” said Prof. Rank. The objective is to get the Kathiyavadi to exist in good numbers across the region so that the breed can be preserved, he said.

Earlier this year, there was an indigenous horse fair conducted by the Anand Agricultural University which fetched a fairly good response, with 400 Kathiawari and Marwari horses being part of the show, said Prof. Rank. Some of the horses owned by the Gujarat police department are of the indigenous variety too, he said. The Kathiawari horse costs between Rs 1 lakh and Rs 1.5 lakh, while a pure stallion fetches as much as Rs 5 lakh.

In Gujarat, there are three horse shows supported by the State Government. The Animal Husbandry Department has three horse breeding farms — at Junagadh, Kodinar and Inaj — where the Kathiawari is bred and stallions made available, said Prof Rank.

The Government encourages owners of Kathiawari mares to bring them to the farms to get them impregnated.

Private owners of Kathiawari stallions are charging as much as Rs 25,000 for successful impregnation of a mare, said Prof. Rank.

Sasan Gir Earthquake Epicenter – Bhukamp na Mota pachchi 57 thi vadhare NANA Aanchaka

After few days ago, quake of 5.3 magnitudes jolted the Whole especially with Gujarat stateJunagadh District and Saurashtra Region.

But after that, Junagadh Jilla Villages experienced as many as 57 aftershocks till Saturday.

As per Latest Seismologist Interviews, they said that, this was part of the many aftershocks of the 2001 earthquake.

Senior scientists at Institute of Seismological Research (ISR), Gandhinagar, are monitoring the seismic activity in Sasan in Junagadh and Kutch.

"Our team is working in Sasan as part of the investigations. We have installed four instruments within 20 km area of the epicenter."
Aftershocks of very low magnitude are occurring as the seismic activity in the area is decaying.

"So in order to register even the minute activity, we have installed such instruments close to the epicenter."

"It is nothing but an aftershock of the 2001 earthquake. Several such aftershocks have occurred in the same area earlier too."

As per Latest Junagadh District Collector AM Parmar Interviews, he said that,"We have started the survey in affected areas. This is likely to be over in the next 4 to 5 days. Many people whose houses were damaged are living in their farms.”

Junagadh Jilla Samachar – Diwali Jode Bhukamp na Aanchaka

At Thursday, Ladudi village in Maliya Hatina taluka of Junagadh was the worst affected by Night Earthquake, which measured 5.3 on the Richter scale.

Around 45 to 50 houses were damaged as their walls collapsed. Some 15 villagers were injured, but no death has been reported.

Talala Town Junagadh District has six injured had to be hospitalized.

They are - Babu Bambhaniya (22), Lakha Bharda (30), Gandabhai Jorda (45), Manjuben Jora (42), Maniben Jora (35) and Januben Makwana (60).

The tremors were felt across other Saurashtra Region like Jamnagar, Surendranagar, Bhavnagar, Rajkot, Amreli and Porbandar.

As per Ladudi villagers interviews, they said that, they ran helter-skelter in panic after the earthquake.

They spent the whole night outside their homes.Fortunately, no one died.

The government should declare compensation for those whose houses were destroyed as most of them are poor and daily wager labourers.

We live close to the Gir sanctuary and the danger of lions is ever present.

Most villagers were asleep when the quake struck at 10.48 pm.

It took them three or four seconds to realize what was happening.

About 25 people have been injured in various incidences in Junagadh district.

The moment the earth started trembling, people panicked and jumped from the building and came running from their houses.

According to disaster management officials, a 15-year-old girl Shivani Mahendrabhai, a resident of Khambha village in Visavadar taluka of Junagadh, jumped from her home.

She panicked and jumped from the house after the earthquake.She fractured her back and legs.
Two people were also injured as a wall collapsed near Chitravad village in Talala.

In yet another wall collapse, two people were injured in Khorasa village in Maliya-Hatina taluka.

According to officials, Nanduben Sevra (45) and her son Dhaval (12) were sleeping in their home when the quake struck and a wall of their house collapsed, injuring both of them.

People across Junagadh district had a sleepless night. In many villages, power cuts compounded their problems. According to sources in Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (PGVCL), power failure was reported in Talala, Veraval, Hakolvadi, Jasadha, Moraj among other villages.
However, power was restored by early morning.

Gujarat Chief minister Narendra Modi, visited the quake hit areas of Malia-Hati and Talala talukas in Junagadh district most hit by Thursday's earthquake.

He met the injured persons in the hospital, wished them a speedy recovery and ordered a survey of the extent of the damage.

Modi also visited Lahudi, Jalandhar and other villages in the afternoon.

He further directed the Gujarat State Disaster Management Authority (GSDMA) staff to reach the areas with maximum damage and provide all possible rescue and relief assistance.

Junagadh City District Earthquake News – AP Center was near to Vanthli Village

As per Indian Met Department, the epicenter of the quake of moderate intensity, which shook the state at around 10:48 pm, was 20 kilometers south east of Sasan Gir near the Vanthli town in the Junagadh district.

The epicenter of the earthquake which registered 5.3 on Richter scale was at Junagadh in Gujarat...tremors were felt here.

The quake was felt for 25 seconds in Junagadh and people rushed out of their homes in panic.
The tremor was felt in several other parts of the state including Ahmedabad.

Gujarat was rocked by a 7.6 magnitude earthquake on January 26, 2001 leaving 20,000 people dead and causing widespread destruction with the worst-affected being the Kutch region.

Junagadh Saurashtra News – Season Vagar no Varshad

Saurashtra region farmers are worried a lot for the last three days as unseasonal rain continued to lash parts of the region.

According to district flood control room officials, it rained sporadically in Bhavnagar, Amreli and Junagadh districts.

According to Junagadh district flood control room officials, few days ago, Manavadar topped the list with 25 mm rainfall within an hour.

Trees and electric polls fell due to stormy wind with rain. Two domestic animals were killed due to lightning in Junagadh district on Tuesday evening.

Asiatic Lion Sancturies India – Sasan Gir National Park gets 60% bonus tourists this Diwali vacation

Bollywood Megastar Amitabh Bachchan charm continued to work for the forest department at Gir Wildlife Sanctuary (GWS), the only abode to Asiatic lions in the world.

At least 60 % more tourists are booked at this sanctuary for Diwali vacations, compared to last year.

The sanctuary will open on Sunday after a three-month break for monsoon, which also coincides with the mating season for the beasts.

According to officials at GWS, the tourist flow has increased drastically as compared to the last year.

The conducive environment and the facilities provided by the department has turned out to be a major aspect attracting the tourist, officials said.

Even the Gateway hotel at Sasan Gir is completely booked, weeks after it opened.

As per Latest Chief Conservator of Forests, Junagadh, R L Meena Interviews, told to media that, “After the poaching incidents, which surfaced in 2007, we have taken several measures to change the entire perspective about Gir. The staff has been changed totally and about 400 of them are new recruits and that makes a lot of difference.

The old staff had been working as typical forest department staff whereas it needed something more than that because it was all about attracting more tourists.”

“Not only that, the local tourist guides have gained a lot of confidence in explaining about wildlife to the tourists.”

“There is no doubt that his presence has made direct impact on the tourist flow. After all, he is a superstar and people do acknowledge him.”

During 2009-10, a total of 2,06,563 persons visited the sanctuary and Devaliya Safari Park.
During 2010-11, 2,71,745 persons visited GWS and Devaliya Safari Park.

“There is an increase of 65,182 tourists in the financial year 2010-11 in comparison to 2009-10, which shows 31.55% increase in the tourist flow. During the current financial year, 1,08,996 persons have visited the sanctuary and Devaliya Safari Park. The sanctuary remained closed for tourists from June 16 to October 1.”

The tourism campaign has also benefitted the private hospitality sector, with the first large foray into the area booked full for the Diwali season.

The newly opened Gateway hotel at Sasan Gir — a part of the Taj hospitality chain with 28 rooms and a regular jeep safaris — has already been booked to capacity for the Diwali holiday season.

“We are completely sold out. It’s a mix (of foreign and domestic tourists), but a lot of domestic.”

BJP MLA Mahendra Mashru Congress Councillor fast together for civic amenities in Junagadh City

To highlight civic problems, a Congress councillor ward number 4 Manjula Parsana began a fast on Tuesday against the Junagadh Municipal Corporation, which is ruled by her own party.

On Wednesday, Junagadh BJP MLA Mahendra Mashru, joined her for some time at the fast venue near the JMC, saying it was for greater public good.

As per Manjula Parsana Interviews, she said that, “Joshipura underpass, which is the only link for 1.5 lakh people living in several societies of wards 4,5 and 2, has been badly flooded. Despite several representations to JMC authorities, no action has been taken.’’

“It may appear against my own party, but I represent my voters first. They wanted me to do something, and so I sat on fast.”

On Wednesday evening, both Mashru and Parsana were scheduled to meet JMC commissioner together to press the matter.

Mahendra Mashru said that, “It is not about who is fasting. It is about why she is fasting.”

“I joined her because in the end, it is about public at large.”

“Parsana had invited me.”

She had asked other Congress councillors to support her, but they didn’t turn up.“However, the BJP MLA voluntarily joined in.”

Deputy Mayor Girish Kotecha said it was “sheer politics’’.

Asked about the waterlogging problem at Joshipura underpass, he said, “This and many such projects have been hanging fire as the BJP-ruled state government has not been releasing required funds.”

Junagadh Ganesh Utsav Celebration 2011 - 200 kg Maha Laddu for Ganeshji

Really this one is “Amazing and Unforgettable Moments for Whole Junagadh City”.

People will remember, “200 kgs Maha Laddu for Lord Ganesh at this year celebration for many years.”



In above video clip, you can see HUGE SIZE OF LADDU created and well decorated.

Ganpati Bappa Morya

Slumdog Millionaire Movie Hero Dev Patel Junagadh Visit 2011

Just 20 years old the winner of 2009 Academy Award Slumdog Millionaire Movie Actor Dev Patel visited Junagadh City with his mother Anita Patel before few months ago, meet to media persons at hotel in this Historical City and said that he was dismayed when he went to Dharavi slum for the shooting of the film.

He is basically from Gujarat, so we can say him “Gujju Person”. He also said that,

“The aim of portraying the dire poverty of India in his Oscar-winning movie was not to show the country in poor light. Instead, the intertwining theme of the Hollywood movie was optimism and to leave people thinking over what can potentially spring out of seemingly such a hopeless situation.”

“My first impression was how depressed the residents of the locality are! There was nothing but hardships and inconvenience there. However, I was amazed by their unity and cheerfulness in the hell of adversity”

“There is a vast pool of talent in India and the West is acknowledging it now.”

He has come to India with the hope that he will be able to help people here.

Later in the day, He and his mother visited Gir National Park Sanctuary and watched lions.

He also visited historical places like Narsinh Mehta Choro (residence), Uparkot, and Darbar Museum.

Both these Mother and Son have been invited for the visit by Junagadh-based Dr DP Chikhalia who is a friend of Dev’s father.

Junagadh Diamond Cutting Business - polishing centers to become tech savvy

Like the world's biggest diamond cutting and polishing centre in Surat City, small diamond cutting and polishing centers across the state are all set to become tech savvy.

Soon, small players in these diamond centers would get an opportunity to increase their productivity and quality of work by using hi-tech technology in diamond cutting and jewellery making.

Gems and Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) has proposed a project under the central government's ASIDE scheme for setting up common facility centers to provide direct access to hi-tech machines and equipment and training to diamantaires in Gujarat State other cities like Ugamedi, Satalasana, Palitana, Banaskantha, Palanpur-Deesa, Mahuva, Khambhat, Jasdan, Mehsana, Visnagar, Junagadh, Bhavnagar, Amreli and Ahmedabad City.

A proposal for Rs 40 crore projects for setting up common facility centers in Gujarat and centers of excellence in Surat and Navsari has been submitted to Central Government for approval under the Assistance to States for Developing Export Infrastructure and Allied Activities (ASIDE) scheme.

Junagadh City in Progress - 2nd ultra mega power plant to come up

The Central Electricity Commission has zeroed in on 400 hectares of land at Lodhva village in Kodinar taluka of Junagadh district to set up its 4000-MW second Ultra Mega Power Project (UMPP) at a cost of Rs 24,000 crore.

The process of site selection for the second UMPP had been going on for the last two years. The state government had suggested various locations in Junagadh, Porbandar and Kutch after which the central government finalized the Lodhava village site.

As per Latest D Jagdeesh Pandian Interviews, who is principal secretary at the state’s Energy and Petrochemical department, said that “We suggested various locations to the CEA. After their technical evaluation, they have chosen Lodhva village site. The location is most convenient for importing coal for the UMPP. Proximity to sea will also help in getting water for coal-washing etc.”

“Generated power will also be transmitted through grids in Gujarat. The state will get 40% of the generated power while the rest will be allocated to other states. The central government is in process of inviting bids for the project. We hope to see considerable progress shortly.”

“The first phase of 1600-MW Mundra UMPP is almost ready and likely to be commissioned shortly.”

Tata Power had bagged the first UMPP project at Mundra in Gujarat.

Girnar Mountain Ropeway Project - still not starting because another clearance pending

Junagadh City Girnar Parvat project was cleared by central Environment and Forest ministry in last February, but basic works of building the ropeway have yet not started because the company Usha Breco is now waiting for one more clearance – the last of all clearances – from the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) formed by the Supreme Court of India.

It’s expecting clearance for its proposal to build Girnar ropeway in three months time.

This clearance is must for starting construction activity in sanctuary area.

If someone goes to appeal against the ropeway project, the clearance process may delay.

It was in the background of the tremendous pressure on forests and the unsustainable removals and the real threat of massive destruction of wildlife habitat that the Supreme Court of India intervened and constituted Central Empowered Committee on May 9th, 2002.

The CEC presently comprises of the following six members:

Mr. P. V. Jayakrishanan, Chairman
Mr. M.K. Jiwrajka, Member
Mr. Mahendra Vyas, Member
Mr. M.K. Muthoo, Member
Mr. S.K. Patnaik, Member
Mr. P.J. Dilip Kumar, DGF & SS, Member

Talala Gir Kesar Keri Mangoes – get Geographical Indication for GI Registry Chennai

Geographical Indication's Registry in Chennai gave geographical indication (GI) tag to Talala Sasan Gir Kesar Mangoes and Bhalia wheat from Gujarat.

Junagadh Agriculture University and Gujarat Agro Industries had applied for the tag on behalf of Junagadh farmers.

The new status would help prevent sale of ordinary Kesar mangoes, grown mostly in Junagadh and Amreli districts, as Gir Kesar.

The entire area around the Gir sanctuary would be home to this variety and only those grown in this area would be known as Gir Kesar.

Mangoes from other parts of the state would be called Kesar though.

The taste of Kesar Keri from the Gir area was different from the varieties grown elsewhere.
The fine ranges from Rs 50,000 to Rs 1 lakh under the Geographical Indication of Goods (registration and protection) Act, 1999.

Bhalia is a long grain of wheat grown without irrigation for centuries in the Bhal region of Gujarat.

The wheat has high protein content and has a sweet taste.

Bhal region is spread across Bhavnagar and Ahmedabad districts.

Asiatic Lions News 2011 – Vadodara Surat City get pure breed of them

As earlier I talked with my one of the best online friend and she is really Wildlife Lover, said that, Vadodara City Zoo which considered among the oldest in the country will for the first time be home to a pair of pure-breed Asiatic Lions. The three lions in the zoo are crossbreeds and there is not a single lioness.

With the Central Zoo Authority now giving a green signal to house the big cats, a team from Vadodara Municipal Corporation Zoo will soon head for Sakkarbaug Zoo in Junagadh to take possession of the lion pair.

As per Latest Zoo In-charge C B Patel Interviews, he said that,

“We were contemplating on getting a pair of lions because one of the three lions has grown old and it is not advisable to keep him for public display. Talks were on with Sakkarbaug Zoo in Junagadh and we have been allowed to take possession of a pair of Asiatic lions.”

Among the three lions in Vadodara Zoo, two were procured from Chandigarh while one was born in the zoo.

“The significance of getting this pair is that we will for the first time have a genuine Asiatic lion. All the three lions are crossbreeds, including the one which has grown old. Now we will be able to go for captive breeding of Asiatic lions. We are waiting for the rains. A low temperature is important for the transit of the big cats.”

Sakkarbaug Zoo Junagadh City Saurashtra Kathiyavad will also supply a pure breed Asiatic lion to Surat Zoo. The only lion in Surat Zoo is a crossbreed.

As per Latest Zoo Prafful Mehta Interviews, he said that,Our proposal has reached Sakkarbaug Zoo officials and the final nod from CZA is awaited. For long we have been demanding an Asiatic lion and if everything goes well we will soon get one in the near future.

Junagadh Agriculture University vice Chancellor Interview about Crops Life with Rains

Rains give new lease of life to crops in Saurashtra region
As monsoons made their presence felt in Saurashtra this week, the farmers of the region were one happy lot as this rain has saved their crops.

Though bit delayed, the recent rainfall in the region has given a new lease of life to the groundnut and cotton crop.

During the last two days, Rajkot, Porbandar and Amreli districts of Saurashtra region witnessed rainfall and the meteorology department has predicted heavy rainfall in the coming two days across the region as well.

As per Latest Junagadh Agriculture University vice Chancellor N C Patel Interviews, he said that, "Rainfall is crucial for both the groundnut and cotton crop. If the rains had delayed further, it would have hit these two crops severely."

"The rains that were witnessed in the last two days have saved the early sowing of crops. But we need substantial rainfall for further sowing."

The sowing process will take some more time as these rains are not enough for new sowing.
As per the data provided by the district agriculture department, the sowing area is still below expectation. The total area of groundnut covered is 4, 64,860 hectares this year in and SaurashtraKutch, which is only 30 percent of the last year's total of 1, 5, 75, 819 hectares.

Similarly in cotton so far 3,20089 hectares sowing has been done which was 17,60,238 hectares last year and just 18 percent area has been covered in cotton in Saurashtra region.

Former President of Solvent extractors association of India (SEA) said that, "More Govindbhai Patelrainfall will definitely prove conducive for the sowing process. As the weather changes and the possibility of rain increases, sowing activity will increase in many parts of Saurashtra."

Gujarat Tourism India - increase of 1 lakh tourists and Rs 1 crore incomes in a year

Sasan Gir National Park has witnessed a huge increase in number of travelers in recent months.

Amitabh Bachchan’s hugely publicized ads for Gujarat have been beneficial to the state in many ways, from which Gir seems to be benefiting the most.

According to the figures between June 2009 to May 2010 Gir National Park and Gir interpretation center of Devalia both were visited by 5166 foreign tourists and 200800 Indian tourists; which is a total of 205966 tourists.

From which the Gir interpretation center had 213 foreign and 134005 domestic tourists while the Gir Sanctuary had 4953 foreign and 66795 domestic tourists.

But this year the number has increased by 98,861 tourists.

According to forest department officials in Sasan Gir; 239 foreign tourists and 1, 70,350 domestic tourists, totally 1, 70,589 tourists have visited Gir interpretation center and 6061 foreign tourists and 1, 28,177 domestic tourists, totally 1, 34,238 tourists had visited Gir Sanctuary between June 2010 and May 2011.

Last year Gir Interpretation center made an income of Rs 1, 20, 46,155; whereas Gir sanctuary made Rs 87, 20,000. In total the forest department made an income of Rs 2, 16, 66,840.

While this year with 98,861 more tourists, Gir sanctuary has made Rs 1, 66, 49,950; whereas Gir Sanctuary made Rs 1, 56, 91,726. In total the forest department made an income of Rs 3, 23, 41,676 which is Rs 1, 06, 74,836 more than previous year.

Apart from that the hotels and other hospitality resources near the National Park are benefiting from the increase in the number of tourists. Take an example of local car operators.

While one Gipsy car driver was getting 70-80 tourist trips of Gir sanctuary in 2009-10, in year 2010-11 the same driver got 120-150 trips.

But the real hospitality the tourists will never forget is the one offered by the small farm owners in the villages nearby, the tourists feasted on delicious Kathiyavadi Food like Bajra No Rotlo, Kadhi, Khichdi and Olo.

The Lion King has not only blessed the forest department but also the small scale cottage industry and numerous individuals who depend on them.

Girnar Mountain Ropeway - rehabilitate jobless Doliwalahs

The Girnar Mountain Ropeway Project will rehabilitate several people who were earning a living by ferrying devotees to the pilgrim centers on palanquin.

These 70 people will be out of job after the ropeway comes from Bhavnath Taleti to Ambaji temple.

As per Latest S K Nanda Interviews, who is Principal Secretary of Forest and environment, said that, When the project was designed in September 1995, it was found that the life span of these Doliwalahs was not more than 50 years, owing to the laborious task of carrying pilgrims up the 2.3 km stretch which had some 5,000 stairs.

“This job was adversely affecting these 70 people who ferried people on a palanquin.”

"Some would be given shops at the Bhavnath Taleti or at the Ambaji temple for snacks, flowers and other offerings for the temple. Some of them will also be employed as cabin operators by the company which will set up the project."

Forest officials said when the project was finalized, there were 95 such Doliwalahs.

However, their number has dwindled and as per the last reports, there were not more than 70 Doliwalahs who were still in the business.

They added that some might even continue in the business only for the weak and disabled pilgrims who want to visit the Jain temples.

The ropeway will be a straight alignment from Bhavnath Taleti and will end at Ambaji Temple.

However, for those wanting to visit the Jain temples, they will have to go down nearly 2,000 steps from the ropeway station.

Officials said, as per an estimate of 100 devotees only 30 visit Jain temple while the rest only visit Ambaji temple.

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.