Air India plane crash: Bird-attracting sites near airports must be closed, demands animal rights group while flagging past data of Delhi, Mumbai and Ahmedabad
Image credit: PTI
NEW DELHI: With investigators looking into if a bird strike, among other reasons, caused an
Air India plane crash
near the Ahmedabad airport, an animal rights group on Thursday wrote to the director general of civil aviation seeking immediate nationwide enforcement of a rule that prohibits bird-attracting establishments, such as slaughterhouses, meat shops, dairies and garbage dumps, within 10 km of an airport.
The People for Animals (PFA) Public Policy Foundation demanded strict compliance of Rule 91 of the Aircraft Rules, 1937, at every airport and licensed aerodrome to mitigate the growing bird strike-threat to aviation safety and public life by closing down such establishments.
In its letter to the DGCA, flagging the govt's response in Rajya Sabha in 2023, the organisation highlighted the Ahmedabad airport's troubling record that includes 319 documented bird/animal (wildlife) strikes between Jan 2018 and Oct 2023, ranking it the third most-affected airport nationally after Delhi (710) and Mumbai (352).
It said in 2023, Ahmedabad reported 81 bird/animal strikes, representing a 107% increase from the previous year.
Sharing the data in Rajya Sabha on Dec 18, 2023, the govt had, however, underlined that no plane had crashed due to bird strike in the last five years and only one occurrence had been reported wherein an aircraft made an emergency landing due to bird strike at the Kolkata airport in 2021.
Referring to a bird/animal strike data analysis, the govt had told the upper House that the maximum number of strikes occurred during the landing and takeoff phases.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025
Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List
Undo
Noting that bird/animal strikes surged from 167 incidents in 2006 to 1,125 in 2022 nationally, the foundation in its letter highlighted that the national bird strike rate in 2022 stood at 9.14 per 10,000 aircraft movements. It was more than double the safety performance target of 4.26 set by the National Aviation Safety Plan 2018-22. The target was reiterated in the subsequent plan too.
'We can't keep calling these tragedies 'unforeseen' when the warnings have been clear for years.
The Ahmedabad airport alone had 319 documented incidents, every single one was a red flag,' said Gauri Maulekhi, trustee and member secretary of PFA Public Policy Foundation.
The letter to the DGCA also flagged that the recently enacted Bharatiya Vayuyan Adhiniyam, 2024, further emphasises the law by imposing strict penalties of up to three years imprisonment and fines of up to Rs 1 crore for any contravention of Rule 91.
Pitching for strict enforcement of the existing laws/rules, Maulekhi said, 'The laws we have aren't suggestions, they are meant to protect people's lives. If these laws had been properly enforced and these establishments had been shut down, maybe this tragedy could have been prevented. It's time the DGCA issues clear, binding orders to states and local authorities to finally address this problem head-on.'
The PFA in its letter claimed that slaughterhouses, meat shops, dairies, piggeries and waste dumping sites continue to operate in large numbers within the vicinity of major airports across the country despite the clear statutory prohibition.
Citing examples, it said the Jamalpur slaughterhouse and Asarwa fish market are located close to the airport in Ahmedabad. Delhi, which reports the highest cumulative number of bird/animal strikes nationally, is surrounded by more than 500 such establishments as documented in recent surveys and site visitations, it added.
'Similar conditions persist in Mumbai and other major cities, where these activities act as a constant attractant for large populations of scavenging birds and contribute directly to the escalating risk of bird strikes,' PFA said.
"We already have clear laws and years of data showing us exactly what the problem is. What
we are missing is accountability and enforcement. If we are serious about preventing more tragedies like
this, we need immediate action: enforce the law, close these illegal establishments, and publicly track
compliance so people can see real progress. That's the only way the public will believe our skies are
safe again,' said Mihir Dawar, policy specialist at the Foundation.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Time of India
an hour ago
- Time of India
Bhagalpur and Banka administrations gear up for Shrawani Mela
1 2 3 Bhagalpur: The district administrations of Bhagalpur and Banka are making elaborate arrangements for the month-long Shrawani Mela, to be held from July 11 to Aug 9, during which approximately 50-55 lakh pilgrims visit Sultanganj to fetch holy Ganga water and trek barefoot to Baba Baidyanath Dham at Deoghar in neighbouring Jharkhand, carrying kanwars. The Hindu pilgrims, known as kanwariyas , reach Sultanganj in Bhagalpur from across India, as well as neighbouring countries like Bhutan and Nepal, to fetch holy Ganga water and trek barefoot to Deoghar via routes falling in Banka district. In connection with this, the district officials, including Bhagalpur DM Nawal Kishor Choudhary, city SP Shubhank Mishra, DDC Pradeep Singh, sadar subdivisional officer Vikash Kumar, along with Sultanganj MLA Lalit Narayan Mandal, nagar parishad chairperson Rajesh Kumar Guddu and his deputy Neelam Devi, have reviewed the mela preparations at Sultanganj and the trek routes. They reviewed the preparations made by different departments like road, electricity, health, public health engineering, water resources, food safety, information and public relations among others. Choudhary directed the officials of various departments to ensure that the devotees do not face any problem during the pilgrimage. Choudhary said on Friday that they will ensure a safe, secure and people-friendly pilgrimage during the Shrawani Mela. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Perdagangkan CFD Emas dengan Broker Tepercaya IC Markets Mendaftar Undo "Flood control divisions will be deployed. Different departments have been asked to make arrangements in accordance with the directives within a week," the DM said. He directed the electricity department to make proper arrangements and improve their infrastructure for an uninterrupted power supply to the Sultanganj region and on the trek routes. The officials concerned were also instructed to ensure adequate street lights on trek routes and at the embankments at Sultanganj Siri Ghat, besides fencing/barricading the area. A direction to the public health engineering department was given to ensure sanitation and availability of pure drinking water through tankers, hand pumps and other means. The officials concerned were also asked to ensure availability of hygienic food and check the rates of the products sold at the shops en route. The health department officials were asked to ensure round-the-clock services, besides the police were instructed to regulate the movement of heavy and big commercial vehicles en route to Sultanganj and on the trek routes to Deoghar. Directives were given to put a layer of fine sand on the trek route, of which nearly 100 kilometres fall in Banka district, for the convenience of the barefoot devotees. Instructions were also given to the officials to cover drains en route and marking them with yellow paint, provide ambulances at Namami Gangey and Siri ghats at Sultanganj, earmark 'panda chowki' and register pandas (pastors), and make parking arrangements. After collecting the holy water of the Ganga at Sultanganj, where the river becomes 'uttarvahini' (flow turning towards north), the devotees trek barefoot nearly 105 kilometres, carrying kanwars on their shoulders, while chanting 'bolo bam'. On reaching Deoghar, the devotees pay obeisance to Lord Shiva by pouring the holy water on the Shivalinga — one of the 12 Jyotirlingas in the country — and seek blessings.
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Time of India
JEECUP 2025: UP Polytechnic result expected soon at jeecup.admissions.nic.in, answer key released; Check key dates, counselling info and more
The Joint Entrance Examination Council, Uttar Pradesh ( JEECUP ) recently concluded the UP Polytechnic 2025 entrance exam held between June 5 and June 13, 2025, for admission to diploma-level courses across government and private polytechnic institutes in the state. With the provisional answer key released and the result expected on June 21, candidates are advised to stay alert for important updates, especially regarding the upcoming counselling process. Important dates The registration process for JEECUP 2025 was conducted from January 15 to May 20, 2025. The admit cards were released on May 27, followed by the entrance examination, which was held between June 5 and June 13, 2025. The provisional answer key was made available on June 13, and candidates had the opportunity to submit objections until June 15. The JEECUP 2025 result is expected to be declared on June 21, 2025, with the counselling process likely to begin in the first week of July 2025. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Neurologists Amazed: These Barefoot Shoes Help Seniors Lose Weight and Live a Life with Less Pain Barefoot Vitality Learn More Undo How to Check JEECUP 2025 Result Step 1: Visit the Official Website: Go to the JEECUP official portal: Step 2: Click on the Result Link: On the homepage, look for the 'JEECUP 2025 Result' or 'View Scorecard' link and click on it. Live Events Step 3: Enter Login Credentials: You will be redirected to the login page. Enter your: Application Number Password or Date of Birth Security PIN (as shown on screen) Submit and View Result Step 4: Click on the Submit/Login button: Your JEECUP 2025 scorecard and rank will be displayed on the screen. Step 5: Download and Print: Download the result and take a printout of the scorecard for counselling and admission use. Current Status: Answer Key Released The provisional answer key for JEECUP 2025 was released on June 13. Candidates could raise objections or challenge any discrepancies in the key until June 15. The final answer key and scorecards will be prepared based on the evaluation of these objections. Result Announcement The JEECUP 2025 result is expected to be declared around June 21, 2025. Once released, candidates will be able to: Check their individual scores and overall rank Download their rank card Use it for online counselling registration Counselling Process The e-counselling for JEECUP 2025 is expected to begin in the first week of July. Based on their ranks, candidates will be able to: Register for counselling Fill their choice of colleges and diploma streams Lock their preferences Appear for document verification Secure admission at allotted institutes More detailed counselling instructions and schedules will be released shortly after the result. What Students Should Do Now Download and save the provisional answer key from the official website Cross-check responses and calculate expected score Prepare necessary documents for counselling (mark sheets, ID proof, domicile, etc.) Keep an eye on for result and counselling updates
Time of India
3 hours ago
- Time of India
Black Mamba fight for a female mate: Why the snakes don't bite in the deadly battle for mating
In the wilds of Africa, witnessing two black mambas, among the world's deadliest snakes, locked in combat is both thrilling and eerie. These battles, often lasting over 30 minutes, are not about killing but about mating rights. Surprisingly, the snakes do not bite each other in these fights despite their lethal venom, which can kill a human in under 20 minutes. Instead, male black mambas wrestle in a non-lethal show of strength. They rise, twist, and press against each other, trying to push the rival's head down in a ritual known as 'plaiting combat.' The loser backs off while the winner earns the chance to mate with a nearby female. This restrained, physical contest has fascinated scientists for years and reveals a complex, strategic side of these feared reptiles. Black Mamba's combat ritual: A test of strength, not venom Male black mambas engage in what is called "plaiting combat." This is a non-lethal form of wrestling where the snakes twist, wrap, and tangle around each other in a bid to establish dominance. The snakes rise off the ground, pressing against each other in a vertical battle, trying to force their rival's head downward in a show of strength. The goal of the contest is to physically dominate the opponent rather than injure or kill. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Memperdagangkan CFD Emas dengan salah satu spread terendah? IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Rather than using their venomous bite, which could end the fight swiftly but with potentially fatal consequences, the snakes follow a ritualised form of combat. The first to submit or retreat loses, and the winner gains access to the nearby female. This physical trial, based on stamina and control, allows both rivals to walk away alive, even if only one walks away victorious. What is at stake for Black Mambas in the battle of strength For male black mambas, these ritualistic wrestling matches are about more than just physical dominance. They are in a fight for the right to mate. With a receptive female nearby, only the strongest and most persistent male earns the opportunity to reproduce. The stakes are high, but so is the risk of fatal injury if venom were used. That is why these snakes engage in controlled combat, where endurance, technique and sheer strength decide the victor. The loser typically retreats without injury, preserving his life for future chances. For the winner, the reward is not just mating rights but also the passing of one of his genes, which in nature is the ultimate success. Venom is too valuable to waste Venom is not something snakes produce endlessly or effortlessly. For the black mamba, venom is a carefully conserved and biologically expensive resource. It is primarily reserved for capturing prey and for self-defence in life-threatening situations. Using venom in a mating battle would be wasteful and risky, particularly when there is no prey to consume and the goal is to impress a potential mate, not to kill a rival. This strategic conservation of venom demonstrates how evolution has shaped their behaviour. By relying on physical strength and avoiding venom use in these contests, black mambas reduce the risk of death and conserve their venom for when it is truly needed. This increases their chances of surviving future threats and securing food. Immunity within the species Another fascinating factor is that black mambas have developed a mild resistance to their own species' venom. Scientists have observed that snakes, particularly those that live in close proximity to others of their kind, often have partial immunity to each other's toxins. This is thought to be a result of evolved antibodies that can neutralise venom components to some degree. However, this immunity is not foolproof. A high enough dose of venom could still cause severe harm or death. This partial resistance likely reduces the danger of accidental bites during social interactions such as mating or feeding, but it does not offer complete protection. That is one more reason why the snakes avoid biting during combat—the risk still outweighs the reward. A bruised ego, not a broken body In contrast to many other species where mating fights can lead to serious injuries or death, black mamba confrontations tend to end with little physical damage. The loser may retreat exhausted and humbled, but he typically escapes without wounds. The winner earns the right to court the female, while the loser retains the chance to fight another day. This approach not only preserves the species' population by reducing needless fatalities but also ensures a sustainable form of sexual competition. The avoidance of fatal conflict suggests a remarkable evolutionary strategy where survival and reproduction are balanced with minimal risk.
