<p>To understand and take up mitigation measures against bird strikes and mammal movement on the runway, the Hubballi Airport officials have decided to study the total number of wildlife species in the critical area.</p><p>The airport spreads over an area of 657 acres, which is located on the outskirts of the Hubballi city. Once it was home to several wildlife species, including foxes, jackals, rabbits, jungle cats, wolves, peacocks, and birds. About a decade ago, the smaller airport was upgraded into a bigger one and even the runway was also extended after acquiring land.</p><p>After the expansion, the airport has not conducted any study on the total number of wildlife species in the area. Now the airport authority has decided to conduct a detailed study to know about the wildlife species and measures to be taken to mitigate the problem. </p><p>According to an officer, birds and wildlife activities are dangerous for aircraft movement. To reduce the activities of the birds and mammals in the critical area, they have planned to conduct a one-year study, for which they are looking for an agency. The agency will study the wildlife activities in the airport premises and then give recommendations to prevent wildlife activities, and to make the airport a safer place for the movement of aircrafts.</p><p>Bird hit is a common problem in most of the airports, and Hubballi Airport is not an exception. However, no big bird hit has occurred in the past in the airport and no aircraft has been affected by the birds in the past, the officer added.</p><p><strong>B'luru-based agency</strong></p><p>Hubballi Airport Director Rupesh Kumar said, they are committed for the safety of flight operations, hence they invited Bengaluru based ‘Vanalok’ team to take up a detailed study on bird and wildlife activity with the aim of recommending mitigation strategies.</p><p>The agency has given a proposal to study wildlife in the airport. Once the Airport Authority of India (AAI) approves the proposal to study the wildlife activities, the selected agency will conduct a detailed study for a year.</p><p>The undisturbed environment and surrounding areas in the airport premises naturally attracts birds and mammals. To prevent wildlife activities, grass cutting, regular monitoring and patrolling are being done in the airport area. Even the forest department has placed two cages inside the airport premises to rescue the mammals.</p><p>RFO R S Uppar said once in a while mammals get trapped in the cages, we rescue and release them in forest areas. Compared to the past, the number of mammals getting trapped in the cages has been reduced, which means less number of animals are visiting the airport area.</p>
<p>To understand and take up mitigation measures against bird strikes and mammal movement on the runway, the Hubballi Airport officials have decided to study the total number of wildlife species in the critical area.</p><p>The airport spreads over an area of 657 acres, which is located on the outskirts of the Hubballi city. Once it was home to several wildlife species, including foxes, jackals, rabbits, jungle cats, wolves, peacocks, and birds. About a decade ago, the smaller airport was upgraded into a bigger one and even the runway was also extended after acquiring land.</p><p>After the expansion, the airport has not conducted any study on the total number of wildlife species in the area. Now the airport authority has decided to conduct a detailed study to know about the wildlife species and measures to be taken to mitigate the problem. </p><p>According to an officer, birds and wildlife activities are dangerous for aircraft movement. To reduce the activities of the birds and mammals in the critical area, they have planned to conduct a one-year study, for which they are looking for an agency. The agency will study the wildlife activities in the airport premises and then give recommendations to prevent wildlife activities, and to make the airport a safer place for the movement of aircrafts.</p><p>Bird hit is a common problem in most of the airports, and Hubballi Airport is not an exception. However, no big bird hit has occurred in the past in the airport and no aircraft has been affected by the birds in the past, the officer added.</p><p><strong>B'luru-based agency</strong></p><p>Hubballi Airport Director Rupesh Kumar said, they are committed for the safety of flight operations, hence they invited Bengaluru based ‘Vanalok’ team to take up a detailed study on bird and wildlife activity with the aim of recommending mitigation strategies.</p><p>The agency has given a proposal to study wildlife in the airport. Once the Airport Authority of India (AAI) approves the proposal to study the wildlife activities, the selected agency will conduct a detailed study for a year.</p><p>The undisturbed environment and surrounding areas in the airport premises naturally attracts birds and mammals. To prevent wildlife activities, grass cutting, regular monitoring and patrolling are being done in the airport area. Even the forest department has placed two cages inside the airport premises to rescue the mammals.</p><p>RFO R S Uppar said once in a while mammals get trapped in the cages, we rescue and release them in forest areas. Compared to the past, the number of mammals getting trapped in the cages has been reduced, which means less number of animals are visiting the airport area.</p>