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Airport Near Ramsar Site Faces Rejection
10 Apr
Summary
- Proposed airport near Chilika Ramsar Site and Balukhanda-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Risks include bird strikes, threat to Olive Ridley turtles, and loss of coastal bio-shield.
- Wildlife Institute of India recommends rejection or strict mitigation measures.
A proposed greenfield airport in Brahmagiri tehsil is under scrutiny by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) due to its proximity to sensitive ecological areas. The WII report indicates that the airport's location, just 200 meters from the sea and near the Balukhanda-Konark Wildlife Sanctuary and Chilika Ramsar Site, poses significant threats.
Key concerns raised by the WII include a heightened risk of bird strikes, impacting aviation safety and wildlife conservation, citing international incidents. The project also threatens the nesting grounds of the Olive Ridley turtle and the habitat of Irrawaddy dolphins, crucial for marine species and coastal ecology.
Furthermore, the proposed felling of 13,504 trees, which act as a bio-shield against sand dunes, saltwater intrusion, and cyclones, could detrimentally affect the local ecology. The WII questions the transparency of the proposal and notes violations of the Forest Conservation Act, recommending either rejection or the implementation of 10 mandatory mitigation measures.
