Jairam Ramesh, Union Minister for Environment and Forests on 7 February 2011 accorded in-principle approval to Girnar ropeway project in Gujarat. However, the approval has come with certain conditions for construction of the ropeway which is to be built from Bhavnath Taleti to Ambaji temple in Junagarh.

The conditions are:

1) The state government will conduct a study to consider alternate alignment of the ropeway project and submit report within two months positively.

2) The height of the ninth and tenth tower of ropeway will be increased to avoid disturbance to the vulture nesting sites located in this area.

3) A camera of high resolution will be placed on the ninth tower to monitor movement of cultures.

4) A cafeteria for vultures to provide for supplemental feed to the cultures apart from attempting to divert the movement of vultures away from the ropeway.

5) A cess of Rs 5 per ticket or two per cent of the ticket turnover revenue, whichever is higher, will be imposed.

6) A technical monitoring group of officers from Gujarat Forest Department, local voluntary organisation concerned, Bombay Natural History Society, Worldwide Fund for Nature and experts will be set up to monitor the implementation of the conditions governing the clearance of the ropeway project.

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