Siddaramaiah's Ropeway Plan For Karnataka's Highest Peak Draws Sharp Pushback From Green Activists: Report

A budget announcement by Karnataka Chief Minister Siddaramaiah proposing a ropeway connecting Mullayyanagiri, Seethalayyanagiri and Kaimara in Chikkamagaluru taluk has drawn sharp opposition from environmentalists, The Hindu reported.

They warn that the project could damage a fragile ecosystem and disrupt wildlife in the Western Ghats.

Siddaramaiah made the announcement during the state budget presented on 6 March, proposing that the ropeway be developed through a public-private partnership model.

The project, however, is not new. A similar proposal was floated during the previous BJP administration under Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai, when representatives of private agencies visited the site and conducted a preliminary survey before the plan was quietly shelved.

M.R. Lohith, Assistant Director of Tourism in Chikkamagaluru, confirmed the project had not advanced beyond initial visits in its previous avatar. "The CM has proposed the project in the budget once again. So far, we too have only that much of information. A feasibility study needs to be conducted before taking up the project," the officer was quoted as saying by The Hindu.

Mullayyanagiri, standing at 1,930 metres above sea level, is Karnataka's highest peak and draws large numbers of visitors, particularly on weekends.

The district administration has already capped visitor numbers owing to landslide risks during heavy rainfall.

S. Girijashankar, an environmentalist and former member of the State Wildlife Board, questioned the rationale behind the project. "It is a sensitive area, and the government should not take up any project that increases the footfall. Activities like ropeways are only intended for merrymaking, which may end up disturbing the wildlife. The project hardly helps the local people in any way. We oppose it strongly," he said.

Wildlife activist G. Veeresh from Chikkamagaluru noted that the previous government had stepped back from the proposal in the face of sustained opposition.

"The present government should withdraw the proposal. The site, where the project has been proposed, is a highly sensitive area and witnesses activity by many wild animals, including tigers. We oppose any project that harms the environment," he stated, adding that environmentalists are prepared to pursue legal remedies if required.

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