Dehradun: The airspace over Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary (KWLS) should be designated a 'silent zone' and flights are to be prohibited from approaching 600m or closer to the ground, says an interim report submitted by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) to the chief wildlife warden.
In the report, WII has also recommended that helicopters flying over the area should keep their noise levels with 50 decibels (dB). The report highlights the fact that, on an average, flights generate noise levels of 70 dB. As per Dire-ctorate General of Civil Aviation, flights should be operated 600m above the ground. WII said these measures should reduce the impact of such flights on wildlife. The final report in the matter will be submitted in summer this year.
"The administration will adhere to the 600m-altitude limit prescribed by WII. The noise level will be adjusted to that," said chief wildlife warden DVS Khati, talking to TOI.
The divisional forest officer of KWLS had submitted a report to the chief wildlife warden in 2013, pointing out that animals and birds, including many rare and endangered species such as snow leopard, musk deer and monal pheasant had abandoned large stretches of the sanctuary ever since frequent flights for pilgrims had been started for Kedarnath temple.
30/01/16 Seema Sharma/Times of India
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In the report, WII has also recommended that helicopters flying over the area should keep their noise levels with 50 decibels (dB). The report highlights the fact that, on an average, flights generate noise levels of 70 dB. As per Dire-ctorate General of Civil Aviation, flights should be operated 600m above the ground. WII said these measures should reduce the impact of such flights on wildlife. The final report in the matter will be submitted in summer this year.
"The administration will adhere to the 600m-altitude limit prescribed by WII. The noise level will be adjusted to that," said chief wildlife warden DVS Khati, talking to TOI.
The divisional forest officer of KWLS had submitted a report to the chief wildlife warden in 2013, pointing out that animals and birds, including many rare and endangered species such as snow leopard, musk deer and monal pheasant had abandoned large stretches of the sanctuary ever since frequent flights for pilgrims had been started for Kedarnath temple.
30/01/16 Seema Sharma/Times of India
