MYSURU/ CHIKKAMAGALURU: Days after a high-level committee decided to scrap the proposal for ropeway project at Chamundi Hills following stiff resistance from green activists, a project proposed in the Mullayanagiri hill is facing similar fate.
Mullayanagiri hill comes under the draft Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA) notified by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
In his maiden budget speech, chief minister Basavaraj Bommai had proposed ropeway projects to Chamundi Hills in Mysuru and Mullayanagiri hill of Chikkamagaluru to promote tourism. He had announced that a proposal would be sent under the Parvatamala scheme of the Central government.
Local residents say that the government should drop the project on the lines of Chamundi hills ropeway project as the road leading to Mullayanagiri witnessed landslides even on Sunday.
According to the draft ESA, the proposed project site comes under ESA. “The rules don’t allow this project in this eco sensitive area. We should have common sense. The government wants to take up ropeway projects here and Yana in Uttara Kannada district. We oppose both proposals,” said green activist Joseph Hoover.
“The ecosystem of this area is fragile and landslides are reported frequently. This area doesn’t suit any such projects,” he said.
G Veeresh, honourary wildlife warden from Chikkamagaluru said there is no demand for the ropeway. “Compared to Chamundi Hills, this area is more sensitive and a natural of the habitat of several wild animals which are facing extinction, including tiger,” he said.
“Even the local political leadership is not pursuing this project and has left the decision to the residents. Earlier, one project was stopped by a court citing the sensitivity of this zone. Even on Sunday, this area witnessed a landslide. So, we are all opposing this project,” he said.
When contacted, Shiva Kumar, assistant director, Tourism department, Chikkamagaluru said no decision on implementing this project has been made so far.
