12Environmental
Assessments
Gravity ropeway is an environmental friendly
technology as it leaves no or negligible impact on
existing environment. Nevertheless, it is important
to conduct required environmental assessments
to identify the likelihood of any adverse impact
due the installation/operation of the ropeway and
to ensure that adequate mitigation measures are
taken, if necessary.
The objectives of the environment assessment are
to:
Collect information on the existing
environment
Identify the potential micro level environment
impact
Analyse the significance of the potential
impacts
Recommend preventive and mitigation
measures
Identify alternatives to the proposed project
location, if needed
The environmental assessment will include
analysis of the possible impact due to the
intervention of gravity ropeway in the following
broad areas:
12.1 Socioeconomic and Cultural Impact
According to the National Environmental Impact
Assessment (EIA) guideline, 1993, any alteration
in social and cultural setting brought by the project
(gravity ropeway in this case) on the existing
social and economic condition of communities is
considered as socioeconomic impact which may
be both positive and negative. For example, the
ropeway installation will significantly reduce the
transportation cost which is the positive impact
while the local porters may loose their immediate
and prominent source of cash income which is a
negative consequence. Hence, the negative and
positive impacts of gravity ropeway should be
carefully evaluated before installation. Similarly,
any impact on culture of the communities should
also be evaluated.
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