A national study has cited at least half a dozen reasons for bird hazards at the local airport including massive termite infestation along the runway which lures insectivorous birds to the premises, non-disposal of cut grass and 1,000-odd bird feeding locations in a 10-km radius of the airport.
The Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport continues to be an avian-magnet rendering flights vulnerable to growing bird-hit incidents.
A national study has cited at least half a dozen reasons for bird hazards at the local airport including massive termite infestation along the runway which lures insectivorous birds to the premises, non-disposal of cut grass and 1,000-odd bird feeding locations in a 10-km radius of the airport.
The final report `Bird hazard in select Indian airfields: Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport` conducted by the Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology and Natural History has red-flagged termite mounds inside the airport area among major reasons for bird dominance. The study was funded by the ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) and submitted in August 2020.
The report recorded extensive termite activity near the runway and in many locations inside the airside and opined it could be a factor for regular activity of insectivorous birds near the runway.
"There are a large number of areas with termite mounds inside the airport. The high termite activity in the airport resulted in the dominance of insectivorous birds in the area," the report said.
There are a large number of areas with termite mounds inside the airport. The high termite activity in the airport resulted in the dominance of insectivorous birds in the area,” the report said.
The report highlighted that the practice of not disposing of the trimmed grass but leaving it in the field itself may enhance termite activities and insects which thrive on dead organic matter, thereby providing scavenging habitats for certain bird species. “Removal of cut grass away from the airport is necessary.
It will help to reduce the proliferation of termites and allied consequences,” the report stated.
The study, conducted by P Pramod and PV Karunakaran with Anees Khan and Binisha B, found birds breeding in airport authority buildings. “Intense congregation of Blue Rock Pigeons was observed inside the airport area.
The building owned and managed by the Airport Authority is being used as perches and resting sites by these birds,” the report revealed. The report stated that the airport`s proximity to Sabarmati river could also be a major factor for increasing bird activity. “Proximity of the runway and funnel area to the Sabarmati river provides a habitat for a large number of water birds,” the report stated.
Researchers also found nearly 1,000 bird-feeding locations around the airport and near the river. “The local people feed birds because of their religious beliefs. We estimate there are1,000 such sites in10km radius of the airport,” researchers said. The study revealed the presence of 76 species of birds from 1,6235 encounters within 10km of the airport.
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