As we indicated in our earlier post, Indian minister for Enviornment and Forests Shri Jairam Ramesh is coming to Gujarat on February 8, and as we also indicated in same post, it is likely that he would announce his ministry’s latest stand on Girnar rope-way project during his visit. Ramesh is coming to inaugurate a seminar on Social forestry in Gandhinagar, on invitation of Gujarat government’s Forest department.

A two-day seminar scheduled to be held at Forest Research campus in Gandhiangar will be attended by experts from all over India.

Chief Minister Narendra Modi’s presence in the function with Jairam Ramesh could be interesting stage combination, but sadly the Chief Minister is not a part of this function as per the detail available at this stage. The dais therefore will be shared by Shri Mangubhai Patel, Minister, Forest & Enviornment, Tribal welfare, Gujarat State, Shri Kiritsinh Rana, Minister of State, Forest & Enviornment, Gujarat State, Shri A.K.Joti, Chief Secretary, Gujarat state, Dr. S.K.Nanda, Principal Secretary and Forest & Environment, Gujarat State.

It is believed that Jairam has conveyed ‘in principle’ approval — though the official sanction is awaited —for a rope-way in the Girnar wildlife sanctuary. According to a report published from Delhi, Ramesh is now considering various alternatives for the rope-way project. One of the things suggested to the state government is realignment of the rope-way project according to sources.

It should be mentioned here that two members of the standing committee of the National Wildlife Board, Divyabhanusinh Chavda and Nita Shah have submitted a dissent note on the rope-way stating that if constructed the rope-way will lead to the local extinction of the already endangered long-billed vultures.

After Chavda and Shah’s visit to Girnar, Jairam Ramesh himself visited the sanctuary and the site of the ropeway project, but didn’t announce his decision. Last week the officials of Gujarat Forest and Enviornment department met Jairam Ramesh in Delhi and discussed the project. It is believed that Ramesh asked for realignment of the rope-way route. However there is no official statement available at present on this.

Related reports
Jairam Ramesh arrives to decide the fate of Girnar ropeway
So what did Jairam Ramesh say on the fate of Girnar ropeway
Jairam on project clearance spree
69 rare vultures live at proposed Girnar rope-way location