Ahmedabad, 9 September 2011

The quarterly meeting of Airfield Environment Management Committee (AEMC), SVPI Airport, Ahmedabad was held at the airport on Sept 08, 2011 under chairmanship of Shri S K Nanda, Principal Secretary, Forest & Environment Deptt, Govt of Gujarat. Various points related to airfield environment were discussed. Special emphases were on bird hit incidents to aircraft and monkey menace at SVPI Airport. Shri S K Nanda took stock of the situation. AAI informed that bird hit incidents to aircraft have come down by 26 % in the current year (Jan to Aug 2011) over the same period in 2010 and that intensive efforts were on to prevent it.

Gujarat Ecological Education & Research (GEER) Foundation has initiated bird study in the city; and found high concentration of black kites in Juhapura (1811 birds), Geeta Mandir (542 birds), Airport area (464 birds), Ellis Bridge (375 birds) and Nehru Bridge (353 birds). The study also includes flora and relevant fauna i.e. preys of the birds like reptiles, amphibians, rodents, insects etc in the areas around the airport i.e. Meghaninagar, Kubernagar, Kotarpur site etc. The study is in progress and likely to be completed by end of December 2011. The objective is to locate the areas where intensive efforts are required to curb the growth of bird population. GEER Foundation has also collected the bird-hit data form AAI for the last 3 years.

Shri S K Langa, Dy Commissioner, AMC informed that the Asarva fish market had been shifted completely; and penalty had been imposed to the persons selling fish etc in any areas other than the earmarked ones. Shri S K Nanda instructed AAI and Airline Operators’ Committee (AOC) to carry out inspection.

Cantonment board have been requested to shift the butchery and dust-bins from their area. They have also been requested to chop off all the trees adjoining airport boundary wall as it is through these trees that monkeys enter airport premises.

The Aircraft Rules, 1937, Section 91 provides for prohibition of slaughtering and flaying of animals, depositing of rubbish and other polluted or obnoxious matter in the vicinity of aerodrome. Any contravention thereof attracts penalty of up to Rs 1 lakh or imprisonment of up to 3 months or both.

AAI has been advised to use night vision binoculars for effective bird hazard control during night time.

Airport operational area has been made free of dogs. However, on the non-operational area, presence of stray dogs gives shabby look and creates bad image. Therefore, AMC has been instructed to keep their dog catching squad stationed at the airport continuously for one week and if required by AAI, to extend its stay longer.

Feeding of birds and dogs by public in the car park area of airport increases bird and dog activities at the airport. To curb such activity in the city, AMC has imposed fine of Rs 1000/- on the first instance and Rs 4000/- for subsequent instance by the same person. AEMC is considering imposing the same penalty in the airport car park area also. Shri S K Nanda appealed to the public to exercise restraint.