On first day of his two-day Gujarat visit central Enviornment and Forest minister Jairam Ramesh visited Gir lion sanctuary and Girnar ropeway project site. While what Ramesh did in Gir lion sanctuary is in public, here we want to throw light on what he said about Girnar ropeway project after his visit.

Ramesh said: “So far as Girnar ropeway construction is in question, there’s development on one side, environment on other side and faith on third side. Any solution will be thought about after considering all these three dimensions.”

Jairam Ramesh said he will deliver his judgment on whether ropeway would be allowed or not by February end.

He said “as of now this issue is in Board of Wild Life. The board meeting is scheduled to take place on 2nd February. I will give my opinion on Girnar ropeway project in this meeting. After the board takes decision on this issue, the decision will be conveyed to the Supreme Court which would ultimately decide on this matter. Five thousands steps of mount Girnar are equal to our two steps(1) decision in board, and (2) decision in Supreme Court.”

Jairam Ramesh said that the ropeway project was in discussion since 1995, and it was in year 2008 the Gujarat government declared Girnar a sanctuary area. The state government needs out permission for ropeway project because it is a sanctuary area. If ropeway project could be completed before 2008, there was no need to take permission of central government at all.

Jairam Ramesh added that a committee of wildlife expert Divya Bhanushing and Dr. Nita Shah was formed to asses how much the proposed ropeway if built could harm vultures living here. The result of the report was negative for ropeway.

Also read this comprehensive article on controversial Girnar ropeway project Jairam Ramesh arrives to decide the fate of Girnar ropeway