India’s Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) convened an emergency meeting with stakeholders from 10 major airports including Nagpur, escalating concerns over illegal animal slaughter and open meat sales within critical 3km runway radii that attract scavenging birds posing catastrophic engine ingestion risks.
DGCA Director of Air Safety H.N. Mishra reviewed complaints from environmental group NatConnect Foundation highlighting unsanitary slaughter practices near Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) ahead of commercial operations launch. Recent bird strike incidents at Delhi (705 cases 2018-2023), Mumbai (260), and Ahmedabad (226) underscore the escalating threat with only 24% of strikes properly identifying bird species complicating mitigation strategies.
The National Wildlife Hazard Management Committee chaired by DGCA Director General Faiz Ahmed Kidwai mandated comprehensive wildlife risk assessments ranking threats by aircraft impact probability. Airports must monitor bird movement data continuously while local civic bodies bear responsibility beyond perimeter fencing where slaughterhouse violations persist despite repeated warnings.
Bird Strike Statistics Paint Alarming Picture Across India
Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Airport leads with 512 strikes (2020-2023), followed by Mumbai (260), Ahmedabad (226), and Bengaluru (214). Hyderabad logged 143 incidents while Nagpur reports two strikes in recent months—one Air India nose cone damage, another IndiGo return-to-field with engine checks delaying departure 24 hours.
Top Bird Strike Airports (2020-2024):
| Airport | Confirmed Strikes | % Species ID’d | Primary Birds |
|---|---|---|---|
| Delhi IGI | 512 | 24% | Kites, egrets |
| Mumbai | 260 | 18% | Pigeons, crows |
| Ahmedabad | 226 | 22% | Vultures |
| Bengaluru | 214 | 26% | Sparrows |
| Hyderabad | 143 | 20% | Unidentified |
DGCA’s Multi-Pronged Prevention Strategy Takes Shape
New circular mandates:
- Joint inspections with municipal corporations within 10km radius
- Year-long wildlife hazard assessments ranking species by risk
- Real-time pilot briefings during peak migration seasons
- Laser/acoustic deterrents deployment at high-risk thresholds
NatConnect Foundation’s B.N. Kumar emphasized preventive norms exist but enforcement remains weak. Ulwe residents report increased slaughter during holiday seasons, creating public health risks alongside aviation threats as IndiGo, Akasa Air, and Air India prepare NMIA launches.
GMR Hyderabad deploys high-frequency acoustic devices and runway-adjacent grass clearing, yet national coordination gaps persist. DGCA’s first National Wildlife Hazard Management Committee meeting signals systemic overhaul targeting root causes beyond airport perimeters.
