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AHMEDABAD: The state forest department has decided to construct a ring road around the Gir sanctuary on the public-private partnership model. The decision was taken because the state does not want to wait for funds to be sanctioned from the central government.
The Gujarat government has already sent a proposal to the Centre for the ring road around the Gir sanctuary. The road, according to the state government, will divert traffic that now trespasses on the Asiatic lion's kingdom.
The proposed 269 km road will connect villages on the periphery of the Gir National Park and sanctuary covering 1,412 sq km. About six state highways and some minor roads now crisscross the sanctuary. And every day 35 to 40 vehicles travel through the sanctuary.
S K Nanda, principal secretary (forest and environment) said, "We are waiting for the nod from the central government. However, the construction of the ring road will be taken up on the PPP model."
The state has sent a proposal for the long-term conservation of the Asiatic lion. The project cost was Rs 262.36 crore. Of this, 90 per cent of the funding will be provided by the central government while the remaining 10 per cent, Rs 26.19 crore, will be borne by the state.
Officials said a proposal for the Rs 262 crore fund was sent to the planning commission, which has approved the project in principle. An official said that demanding another Rs 600 crore was expecting too much from the Centre. "Hence we decided to fund the ring road on a PPP model. Once the wildlife board of the Union ministry of forest and environment grants approval, the government will issue tenders for the project," he said.
Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-31/ahmedabad/29835222_1_ring-road-gir-sanctuary-gir-national-park
The proposed 269 km road will connect villages on the periphery of the Gir National Park and sanctuary covering 1,412 sq km. About six state highways and some minor roads now crisscross the sanctuary. And every day 35 to 40 vehicles travel through the sanctuary.
S K Nanda, principal secretary (forest and environment) said, "We are waiting for the nod from the central government. However, the construction of the ring road will be taken up on the PPP model."
The state has sent a proposal for the long-term conservation of the Asiatic lion. The project cost was Rs 262.36 crore. Of this, 90 per cent of the funding will be provided by the central government while the remaining 10 per cent, Rs 26.19 crore, will be borne by the state.
Officials said a proposal for the Rs 262 crore fund was sent to the planning commission, which has approved the project in principle. An official said that demanding another Rs 600 crore was expecting too much from the Centre. "Hence we decided to fund the ring road on a PPP model. Once the wildlife board of the Union ministry of forest and environment grants approval, the government will issue tenders for the project," he said.Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2011-07-31/ahmedabad/29835222_1_ring-road-gir-sanctuary-gir-national-park