Dehradun: In a significant move aimed at boosting infrastructure development in hilly regions, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has granted a crucial exemption regarding the transfer of forest land for ropeway construction.
This decision is expected to expedite ropeway projects in all hill states, including Uttarakhand. Previously, the process of transferring forest land required arranging double the amount of land to compensate for the forest area being used. This lengthy procedure often resulted in delays.
Transfer process for forest land of less than one hectare will no longer be required
However, with the new exemption, the transfer process for forest land of less than one hectare will no longer be required, simplifying the path for ropeway construction projects. This decision is particularly significant for the ropeway projects in Uttarakhand, such as those in Kedarnath, Mussoorie, Neelkanth, and Yamunotri.
This will eliminate the need to arrange double the land for transfer
Ranjan Kumar Mishra, Nodal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) for forest land transfer, confirmed the exemption. According to Mishra, this relief will streamline the process and eliminate the need to arrange double the land for transfer. Additionally, the exemption will help prevent unnecessary cutting of trees, preserving the environment. The ministry has reinstated the guidelines issued in August 2019, which were designed to facilitate ropeway construction in hilly areas.
Environmental benefits of ropeways in hilly regions
The Advisory Committee of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has acknowledged the environmental benefits of ropeways in hilly regions. They highlighted that ropeway construction results in minimal encroachment on forest areas and negligible tree cutting. Moreover, ropeways provide safe and economical transportation for people living in remote hilly areas. With this significant development, the construction of ropeways in hilly states is set to become more efficient, paving the way for improved connectivity and transportation in these challenging terrains.
Uttarakhand government has proposed over three dozen ropeway projects
In line with the Ropeway Development Program Parvatmala, the Uttarakhand government has proposed over three dozen ropeway projects to the central government. Prime Minister Narendra Modi has already laid the foundation stones for the Gaurikund-Kedarnath and Joshimath-Hemkund Sahib ropeway projects. The state government has initiated the process of forest land transfer for the Kedarnath, Neelkanth, Yamunotri, and Mussoorie ropeway projects. The recent exemption is expected to expedite these proposals, bringing the projects closer to fruition.
This relief will help in speeding up the work on the proposed ropeway proposals of the state
Radha Raturi, Uttarakhand chief secretary, emphasized the positive impact of the ministry’s decision on the state’s ropeway projects. “The relief given by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for ropeway construction under the Forest Protection Act 1980 will help in speeding up the work on the proposed ropeway proposals of the state. In light of the decision of the Center, a review will soon be done regarding speeding up the work on all the proposed ropeway projects,” she stated.
