No clearance for helicopter joyrides in GIB area, Jaisalmer district stops service

JAIPUR/JAISALMER: The Jaisalmer district administration stopped the helicopter joyride service, launched by the RTDC on December 27 at Sam sand dunes near the Desert National Park (DNP), on Tuesday as the operator had not received necessary clearance from the forest department.
The forest department swung into action and wrote to the district administration following the TOI report, 'Copter joyrides affect GIB care in Jaisalmer, say green activists' that appeared in the Jaipur edition on January 2, which highlighted how the aerial tours were a new threat to the survival of the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB). There are only less than 150 GIBs now.
In the letter, the forest department asked the administration to direct the operator to ply the service outside the eco-sensitive zone of the DNP.
"The helicopter service was being operated in the DNP and the eco-sensitive zone. It's a violation of the Environment Act 1966 and Wildlife Conservation Act 1972," said DNP deputy forest conservator Ashish Vyas. He said a team from the forest department had met the operator to find out about the service following directions from senior officials.
"The operator had not taken any prior permission from the forest department. They have been asked to take permission at the earliest from authorities, provide necessary documents before they can start the service again," he said. According to sources, the administration is now conducting a survey to decide on a new area to operate the joyride.
After the helicopter service was launched, green activists had raised an alarm as the helipad was part of Sudhashri, a GIB habitat with approximately 30-35 birds.
‘GIBs can change their roosting place due to copter rides’
They warned the constant disturbance would affect the breeding of the species, resulting in the birds migrating from the region, and asked the forest department to intervene urgently.
“The GIBs can change their roosting place due to these constant helicopter rides. Currently, the migratory raptor population is in abundance and the GIB chicks will be exposed to these birds of prey,” said an activist.
Many said the areas close to national parks and wildlife sanctuaries should be notified as eco sensitive zones as per the Supreme Court directive by the Union ministry of environment, forests and climate change. This would work as a “shock absorber” for protected animals and birds and regulate activities in the zones. If boundaries have not been fixed around sanctuaries by the government, a 10km surrounding area can be considered as ESZ.