Soaring above the Himalayan trees, they seem serene, yet a series of cable car projects in Nepal have provoked violent demonstrations, with villagers arguing that environmental preservation should take precedence over the growth of the tourism industry.
A $22-million government-backed project in Nepal’s eastern Taplejung district has split the community apart, with many claiming it will ruin livelihoods and harm priceless ancient forests.
According to government statistics, five cable car projects have launched in Nepal in the last two years, and ten more are in the planning stages. The administration is accused by critics of improperly evaluating the environmental impact.
In January, protests at Taplejung escalated into battles with armed police, with four activists wounded by gunfire and 21 officers injured.
The protests calmed after promises construction would be suspended, but erupted again this week, with 14 people wounded on Thursday — 11 of them members of the security forces.
“We were in a peaceful protest but hired thugs showed us kukris (large knives) and attacked us — and we countered them,” protest committee leader Shree Linkhim Limbu told AFP after the latest clashes.
He vowed to continue demonstrations until the project is scrapped.
Every year, some 300,000 Hindu pilgrims travel for hours to reach the Pathibhara temple on Taplejung’s hilltop, which is also extremely precious to the indigenous Limbu people’s distinct beliefs.
Businessman Chandra Prasad Dhakal, who is also the head of Nepal’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry and has strong political connections, said in 2018 that a 2.5-kilometer (1.5-mile) cable car would be built to reach the temple.
The government refers to it as a “national pride” project.
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