BHUBANESWAR: The problem of stray animals and bird menace at Biju Patnaik International Airport (BPIA) came up for discussion at a meeting of Airport Environment Management Committee (AEMC) held at the Secretariat here on Wednesday.
The airport authorities have sought the cooperation of civic administration to relocate slaughter houses and fill up water bodies surrounding the airport.
The meeting also discussed disposal of garbage on airport premises which attracts animals and birds resulting in trouble during landing and take-off of aircraft.
Presence of a number of slums, slaughtering units, farming activities and coconut plantation in Odisha University of Agriculture Technology (OUAT) campus and ponds around the airport were also discussed at the meeting. BPIA authorities said the activities in OUAT attract birds which are hazardous for aircraft operation.
"The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) regulation mandates that a 13-km radius around airport be maintained as a sterile area with no slaughter unit or garbage dumping ground in vicinity," an aviation expert said.
Drains in and around the airport are clogged and the stagnant water exerts pressure on the perimeter boundary wall resulting in damages to it. The drains also attract birds which might result in accidents.
Besides, the BPIA officials have proposed filling up of the dug up laterite mines at Kargil slum, located in the vicinity of the airport, with construction debris.
Chief Secretary Gokul Chandra Pati has directed the officials concerned to revamp the drainage systems around the airport and initiate steps to address stray animal menace. Pati would review progress of work in September first week.
Municipal ward corporators would be instructed to conduct frequent inspections to maintain areas surrounding the airport and sensitize public at the grassroots.
Among others, Principal Secretary, General Administration Department GVV Sarma, Police Commissioner RP Sharma, Bhubaneswar DCP Satyabrata Bhoi, officials of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation, Works Department and Forest Department were present.
Source: http://www.newindianexpress.com
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