Airport authority to rehabilitate animals

Kolkata: Animals like jackals and dogs that regularly stray into the runway of the Kolkata airport from the nearby buffer zone and cause flight delays will be rehabilitated, said state Forest Minister Ananta Roy.
“The Airport Authority of India (AAI) and the Forest Department of West Bengal have decided to end the menace of animals. After the end of ‘Forest Week’ on July 20, we will start the rehabilitation work,” said Roy.
In the last two months there have been several incidents when animals, particularly jackals and wild cats, strayed into the runway and caused the delay of several flights.
“On June 8, a jackal strayed into the runway when an Air India flight was taking off. The pilot had to apply emergency brakes,” said Anukul Jayakar, Joint General Manager (Ground and Field Security).
He added: “There are wild animals living in the buffer zone beyond the runway and the main airport. Three months ago we cleared it off. But we will have do it all over again.”
It is estimated that the area across the boundary wall of the AAI land is home to around 15 to 20 jackals.
16/07/08 Kolkata Newsline

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Categories: Airports Jul 2008