The process of building ropeway projects in hill states, including Uttarakhand, has become easier. Now, only the forest land where the pillars will be placed needs to be transferred, rather than the entire forest area within the project scope.
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change's Advisory Committee has approved this change in the Forest Conservation Act. This will speed up the construction of ropeways for Kedarnath, Mussoorie, Neelkanth, and Yamunotri, particularly in Uttarakhand.
RK Mishra, the Chief Conservator of Forests, confirmed the decision. He explained that the previous requirement to arrange double the land for forest transfers took time. With the new exemption, this will no longer be needed for forest land under one hectare, and tree cutting will be minimized.
The ministry has restored the 2019 guidelines for ropeway construction in hilly states. This relief was granted after the Himachal government requested it. Letters about this decision have been sent to the Chief Secretaries and Forest Secretaries of all states.
Ropeways are considered a safe and cost-effective transport option for hilly areas. The Advisory Committee views them as environmentally friendly because they cause minimal forest encroachment and tree cutting, while providing remote areas with reliable transport.
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The Uttarakhand government has sent over 30 proposals for ropeway projects under the Parvatmala program to the central government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid the foundation stones for the Gaurikund-Kedarnath and Joshimath-Hemkund Sahib ropeway projects.
The state government is already working on forest land transfers for the Kedarnath, Neelkanth, Yamunotri, and Mussoorie ropeways. With this new decision, these projects will progress faster.
The relief from the Union Ministry will help speed up the work on these ropeway proposals in Uttarakhand. A review of the progress of these projects will be conducted soon.
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