Central Environment and Forest department has granted final permission to controversial Girnar ropeway project on its original Bhavnath route. A long-pending decision was taken today in Standing Committee of the National Board on Wile Life(NBWL) meeting in New Delhi Chaired by Environment and Forest minister Shri Jairam Ramesh.

Central ministry had already granted ‘in-principal’ approval to Girnar rope-way project earlier this year in February, but had imposed six conditions. Under the first and the foremost condition, the ministry had sought a report from Gujarat government about whether alternate route was possible or not to implement this project. The ministry had said, “conduct a study to consider alternate alignment of the ropeway project preferably along the Dattar/Bhesan side with a view to ensure that it does not cut across the prime vulture habitat and minimizes disturbance to the nesting, roosting and ranging sites of long-billed vultures and other wildlife species and submit report within two months”. Accordingly the state government had submitted a report mentioning that alternate route was not possible.

According to Junagadh Mayor who briefed media persons about the development today, the ministry has agreed to permit the ropeway project on its original Bhavnath route.

Other conditions for Girnar ropeway project’s environment clearance are:(1)The height of the 9th and 10th tower of ropeway will be increased to avoid disturbance to the vulture nesting sites located in this area. A camera of high resolution will be placed on the 9th tower to monitor movement of vultures and if required, movement of cabins of the ropeway will be regulated in such way as to avoid any accidental collision of vultures with the cabin of ropeway; (2) A cafeteria for vultures will be constructed at an appropriate location, to be decided in consultation with the experts, to provide for supplemental feed to the vultures apart from attempting to divert the movement of vultures away from the ropeway;(3) The state government will impose a cess of Rs. 5 per ticket or 2% of the ticket turnover revenue, whichever is higher. This cess amount will be given to the Gir lion conservation society for conservation-related activities in and around the Girnar Wildlife Sanctuary with a focus on long-billed vultures;(4) Formation of a technical monitoring group of officers from Gujarat Forest Department, local voluntary organizations concerned, BNHS, WWF and experts to advise on safety protocols and to monitor the implementation of the conditions governing the clearance of the ropeway project.