Mumbai: The much-delayed Navi Mumbai International Airport project suffered a fresh threatthis week, after the environment ministry held back its approval over the impact it could have on the nearby Karnala bird sanctuary and the risk to aircraft from migratory birds.
The wildlife committee of the ministry on Wednesday expressed its reservations about the project, saying that air traffic could disturb the bird sanctuary, which is located just 10 km away.
Karnala is the only bird sanctuary in the Western Ghats and ecologists have been saying that the airport could also affect other wildlife in the region. Cidco, which is the nodal agency for the project, received clearance from the environment ministry two years ago, but it apparently did not mention about the bird sanctuary.
According to the rules, projects planned within a 10 km radius of such protected areas required the approval of the wildlife authorities, which is why the issue was referred to the ministry again. The wildlife committee is expected to visit the site for the airport soon, before arriving at a final decision.
23/03/13 Shankar Abidi/Daily News & Analysis
