New Delhi: Move over Masai Mara, regional Indian airports can give this Kenyan game reserve a run for money any day when it comes to wildlife.
A joint team of SpiceJet and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) officials went to inspect the Jabalpur airport in Madhya Pradesh last week to investigate a serious accident caused by wild boars straying on the runway when the budget carrier's turboprop landed there on December 4. Just as the team was getting ready to examine the runway and its nearby areas for breaches in boundary wall, it was warned by local staff against doing so.
The reason: "They were told that even leopards and pythons stray there sometimes. So going there could be dangerous," said a highly placed source.
A senior DGCA official, who has seen the Jabalpur incident report, said there is a wildlife park next to the airport. "There were some breaches in the boundary wall. So it is possible for all wildlife in the park to enter the runway and adjoining areas. Therefore warnings to remain careful of big cats are understandable," said the official.
The Nauradehi wildlife sanctuary is close to Jabalpur and boats of a rich fauna with big cats like tigers and leopards being there in plenty.
A worried DGCA chief, M Sathiyavathy, has ordered inspection of several regional and big airports where wildlife sightings and incidents have been reported. "We are inspecting 20 airports at present," Sathiyavathy said.
15/12/15 Saurabh Sinha/The Times Of India
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A joint team of SpiceJet and Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) officials went to inspect the Jabalpur airport in Madhya Pradesh last week to investigate a serious accident caused by wild boars straying on the runway when the budget carrier's turboprop landed there on December 4. Just as the team was getting ready to examine the runway and its nearby areas for breaches in boundary wall, it was warned by local staff against doing so.
The reason: "They were told that even leopards and pythons stray there sometimes. So going there could be dangerous," said a highly placed source.
A senior DGCA official, who has seen the Jabalpur incident report, said there is a wildlife park next to the airport. "There were some breaches in the boundary wall. So it is possible for all wildlife in the park to enter the runway and adjoining areas. Therefore warnings to remain careful of big cats are understandable," said the official.
The Nauradehi wildlife sanctuary is close to Jabalpur and boats of a rich fauna with big cats like tigers and leopards being there in plenty.
A worried DGCA chief, M Sathiyavathy, has ordered inspection of several regional and big airports where wildlife sightings and incidents have been reported. "We are inspecting 20 airports at present," Sathiyavathy said.
15/12/15 Saurabh Sinha/The Times Of India
