Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Mar 19: The Delhi High Court has agreed to examine a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) raising concerns over the increasing incidents of bird and wildlife encounters with aircraft at the Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport.

A bench comprising chief justice D K Upadhyaya and Justice Tushar Rao Gedela issued notices to the Centre, the Airports Authority of India, and other respondents, seeking their response within six weeks.

The PIL, filed by activist Gauri Maulekhi, highlights that between 2018 and 2023, IGI Airport recorded 705 bird strike incidents surpassing the total incidents reported across 29 airports in six states. The plea attributes this alarming trend to slaughterhouses, meat shops, dairy farms, and environmental pollution near the airport.

Expressing grave concerns, the petition points out that bird strikes pose not only a threat to passenger safety but also to residents in case of an aircraft mishap. The plea urges authorities to implement immediate measures to mitigate Bird Aircraft Strike Hazard (BASH) and adopt the Bird Avoidance Model (BAM).

Despite existing regulations under the Aircraft Rules, 1937, and the Bharatiya Vayuyan Vidheyak, 2024, which prohibit activities attracting birds within 10 km of an airport, the petition alleges that no significant action has been taken to control the menace.

Senior advocate Kirtiman Singh, assisted by advocates Meghna Mishra and Yashodhara Gupta from M/s Karanjawala & Co, represented the petitioner. The matter is scheduled for the next hearing on May 14.