Shimla (IANS) : An ambitious $520 million ski village project planned by millionaire industrialist Albert Ford is now facing opposition from oracles or human mediums of local deities in Himachal Pradesh.

Oracles of over a hundred local deities who gathered in the scenic Kullu valley on Feb. 16 have said a unanimous 'no' to the proposed dream project of Ford, grandson of the legendary Henry Ford, for setting up a Himalayan ski village in the high mountains of northern India.

"A majority of the worshippers or human mediums are against setting up the ski project on account of threat to the local environment and culture and we naturally support their wishes," said Maheshwar Singh, caretaker of the chief deity Raghunath.

"If the state government still hands over the project to Ford, it may even spell doom for the venture," Singh cautioned, while speaking to reporters after a meeting of the oracles in the hill castle of Naggar (in the Kullu valley), 188 miles from here, on Feb. 16. "A majority of the oracles feared that the ski village would pollute the local culture and sacred spots on hill tops which belong to deities," Singh added.

"The oracles also felt that a huge area will be fenced off by the company which will snatch the traditional rights of peasants," he said. The Kullu valley is widely known for its more than 300 village deities and their ancient artistic idols are carried by staunch followers in palanquins in this mountainous region. "We will again question the oracles on this issue and will abide by the final decision," said a representative of the Himalayan ski village, but did not wish to be named.