<Wild impinges on new airport Wednesday May 28 2008 08:56 IST ENS BANGALORE: THE New Bengaluru International Airport (BIA) is likely to breach several environmental norms. The area hosts a range of scheduled wildlife species that might pose a risk for passengers and aircraft alike.
BIA operations have begun without its developer, Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) paying heed to the environmental concerns raised at the planning stage: last year, a survey by wildlife experts from the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), including also herpetologists, ornithologists, botanists and entomologists had suggested that BIAL clear at least 20 sq kilometres of area in its vicinity, ensuring that there were no butcher shops, garbage or open drains. The BIA's vicinity is home to 112 bird species, 21 venomous and non-venomous snake species, pangolins, jungle cats, jackals, monitor lizards, dogs and mongoose. All these survive in the scrub forests and lakes. They are drawn to the unauthorised open-air slaughter houses, open drains and dumping yards. BBMP Environment Advisor R Sharat Babu says, "The BIA wildlife controller has shot birds, and it has passed unnoticed.'' Authorities at the HAL Airport had kept in constant touch with environmental experts, but this practice has not been followed by BIA, according to Babu. Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) Indu B Srivatsav says the BIA did not contact them for permission to shoot birds. It is a criminal offence to shoot birds listed under Schedule One and Four of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972). IISc researcher at the Centre for Ecological Studies (CES), Harish R Bhat points out that many scheduled birds like falcons, brahmini and black kites are found near the BIA. White headed and jungle bablers, spotted doves, warblers, robins and many small birds like sun birds are also spotted here. Stray dogs and reptiles abound in the vicinity of the airport. Vivek Sinha, Former Secretary of Bird Strike Committee (BSC), which surveys all Indian airports, says "Roosting of small birds must also be monitored as they attract reptiles.'' Snakes can slither into the airport premises through inch-wide crevices in the walls. Reptile conservationist Anees Mohammed says the area houses a large number of venomous, camouflaged snakes. The common krait was most dangerous in this context: cobras (found in abundance here) can be easily caught, as they are easy to see. Smaller snakes pose the greater threat as they can more easily enter cargo and aircraft. BIAL officials claimed that stringent measures are being taken to educate villagers around the airport to heighten hygiene conditions, as a measure to curb the bird population.> http://www.newindpress.com/NewsItems.asp?ID=IE120080527223447 Have not come across any discussion so far about Mopa's environmental impact. This gap must be filled at the earliest.
