Bangalore: In a decision that has ruffled the feathers of wildlife enthusiasts and is in complete contradiction to its stand barely two years ago, the forest department has issued an order permitting Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) officials to shoot and kill birds coming in the path of flights.
Prior to granting permission, forest department authorities say they had carried out a ground study and found various species like black kites, Brahminy kites, hawks, cattle egrets, pond heron, little egrets and smaller birds like larks and wagtails in the area. Some of these are protected under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act.
The reason being cited is critical aspects involved in flight operations, which include flights of VVIPs, especially top central government officials and foreign dignitaries. However, in April 2012, the forest department had come down heavily on senior HAL officials and even booked criminal cases when they gunned down birds coming in the path of flights at the old airport owned by HAL.
06/11/13 Chetan R/Bangalore Mirror
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Prior to granting permission, forest department authorities say they had carried out a ground study and found various species like black kites, Brahminy kites, hawks, cattle egrets, pond heron, little egrets and smaller birds like larks and wagtails in the area. Some of these are protected under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act.
The reason being cited is critical aspects involved in flight operations, which include flights of VVIPs, especially top central government officials and foreign dignitaries. However, in April 2012, the forest department had come down heavily on senior HAL officials and even booked criminal cases when they gunned down birds coming in the path of flights at the old airport owned by HAL.
06/11/13 Chetan R/Bangalore Mirror
