The Delhi High Court has responded to a plea urging immediate action to mitigate bird strike risks at Delhi Airport and to implement the Bird Avoidance Model.
Concerns have been raised regarding the alarming increase in wildlife-aircraft collisions at Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport. The petition indicates that these incidents pose significant risks not only to passengers but also to residents in surrounding areas in the event of an aircraft crash.
According to the submission, there were 705 recorded bird strike incidents at IGI Airport, which far exceeds the total incidents reported across 29 airports in six states.
The presence of nearby slaughterhouses, meat shops, dairy farms, and overall environmental pollution has been identified as key factors contributing to the rise in wildlife encounters. The petition argues that the operation of these businesses and improper waste disposal near the airport contravenes multiple regulations.
In response, the High Court has issued a notice to the Centre, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD), the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC), and Delhi Police, requiring them to submit a detailed affidavit within six weeks. The Court has expressed its intention to assess the measures taken to address these pressing issues and has scheduled the matter for further review on May 14.
