Kathmandu, Feb. 28 -- Negotiations to end the controversy over a project to build a cable car to the mountaintop shrine of Mukkumlung/Pathibhara in Taplejung have stalled.

The 2.7km project is set to go from Phungling up to a peak sacred to the Yakthung (Limbu) faith and its Mundum culture, as well as to Hindus.

The $22 million investment is from entrepreneur Chandra Dhakal's IME Group, which says the cable car will promote tourism, create jobs and boost the local economy by enabling more pilgrims to visit.

A section of the Limbu community is intensely opposed to the project for its impact on the fragile ecology of the 3,800m mountain as well as defiling the cultural and spiritual significance of Mukkumlung.

The cable car project ha...