Fresh push for Loei cable car

Loei province and the Designated Areas for Eco friendly Tourism Administration (Dasta) yesterday dusted away from a cable vehicle project for a mountaintop in Phu Kradueng National Park.

The first community hearing was organized after the project has been halted for review in 2018. The big event was attended simply by 300 participants each onsite and on-line.

Thammanoon Pakthoop, manager of Dasta office Area 5, said as requested by Loei province, Dasta had a budget for Burapha College and Khon Kaen University to review the feasibility study of the project.

The controversial cable connection car project in the national park was initiated in 1982 with Kasetsart University or college being hired to conduct a feasibility study and a good environmental impact evaluation (EIA). However , the project was compared by some conservation groups. Further research were conducted in the decades that adopted while opinions around the project were blended, with some supporting and the like opposing.

In 2012, Loei wanted the project to look ahead and in 2014 state-run Dasta has been assigned to perform a feasibility study and public hearings. The study, presented to the cabinet in 2016, found that the task would not affect the environment and would advantage locals.

The cabinet authorized the report in principle but purchased the Ministry of Natural Resources plus Environment to carefully consider the project. The particular ministry ordered Loei province to distribute an EIA to the Office of Natural Resources and Environment Policy and Preparing (Onep) of the ministry but it was later on shelved.

Dasta director Athikun Kongmee said Dasta has allocated price range to support relevant agencies to proceed having a plan to carry out plus submit the EIA again. “The cable connection car will be an alternative service for vacationers. It will also open a chance for the elderly to be able to visit Phu Kradueng, ” he said.

Provincial governor Chaithawat Niemsiri urged relevant companies to help facilitate the project.

Phu Kradueng National Park chief, Adisorn Hemthanon, said the particular project has each advantages and disadvantages. He said further study is required.