The Jammu Kashmir Forest Department has raised objections to the government’s plan to cut down hundreds of conifer trees in Pahalgam for a proposed gondola ropeway.
The project, aimed at boosting tourism, is expected to connect Pahalgam with Baisaran, a picturesque meadow surrounded by dense pine forests.
The Jammu and Kashmir Cable Car Corporation (JKCCC) has proposed an alignment that would require the felling of approximately 700-800 trees, triggering environmental concerns.
The Forest Department has particularly opposed the impact on forest compartment 35, which would suffer significant damage. Despite these concerns, the JKCCC has suggested a revised route passing through the Pahalgam market, though the reasoning behind this shift remains unclear.
It is also uncertain whether an environmental impact assessment (EIA) has been conducted for the project.
Meanwhile, officials from the Jammu Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC) claim that the project is being designed with environmental sustainability in mind.
The proposed cable car, spanning approximately two kilometers from Yatri Nawas to Baisaran, is being touted as a “game-changer” for Pahalgam, set to rival the famed Gulmarg Gondola.
According to officials, the project’s Detailed Project Report (DPR) is nearing completion, with pending No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from relevant departments being processed.
A drag lift is also planned for Aru Valley to promote winter sports, which authorities believe will help transform Pahalgam into a year-round tourist destination.
However, this development comes amid a broader pattern of infrastructure projects in Pahalgam following the region’s reorganization, including road and railway expansions, which have drawn criticism from environmentalists and activists.
The construction of a four-lane road to the Amarnath shrine and discussions about a railway line passing through wildlife sanctuaries have raised concerns about deforestation, loss of land, and threats to the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.