Navi Mumbai Airport Countdown Begins; Concerns for Birds Remain Unchecked

It is less than ten days now for the Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) to launch passenger flights, but environmentalists have raised fresh alarms with the Prime Minister over the continued illegal slaughter of animals close to the airport, warning that the activity poses serious bird strike risks and public health hazards at a critical stage for aviation safety.

IndiGo, Akasa Air and Air India have announced plans to commence passenger services from NMIA starting Christmas Day, even as slaughter activity continues within barely three kilometres of the runway, as the crow flies.

Environment watchdog NatConnect Foundation has posted a fresh complaint on the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) public grievance portal, flagging what it describes as a lack of effective action on the ground despite repeated assurances from the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) that multiple preventive measures are being implemented to mitigate bird and animal strike hazards around NMIA.

"DGCA guidelines prohibit any activity that attracts birds within a 10-km radius of airports," B N  Kumar from NatConnect, which has been vocal about the issue, says. “Navi Mumbai does not have an official abattoir, and the slaughter is clearly a violation that appears to be continuing with impunity,” says Ulwe NCP (Ajit Pawar) leader Santosh Kate.

Kate, who was hospitalised in September after a five-day hunger strike protesting the slaughter activity, says that the practice is unhygienic and poses serious public health risks. “District, taluka and even CIDCO-level officials appear unconcerned,” he alleges.

Bird strike risks are not hypothetical: Mumbai airport has long battled hazards linked to the Bail Bazar–Kurla belt, repeatedly flagged for waste dumping and meat-related activity near flight paths, Kumar pointed out, asking: “Do we want another Bail Bazar in the planned city of Navi Mumbai?”

In its response to NatConnect, DGCA had earlier outlined a set of measures that were to include joint inspections by Navi Mumbai International Airport Ltd (NMIAL) with local civic bodies, action through the Aerodrome Environment Management Committee (AEMC), and a year-long Wildlife Hazard Assessment Survey to study bird and animal movement in the airport’s vicinity.

DGCA officials have also stated that NMIAL conducts monthly inspections in coordination with the Navi Mumbai and Panvel municipal corporations and CIDCO, with inspection reports shared with the concerned authorities for “necessary corrective action.”

However, local activist Karan Chawla says that he was dismayed that the situation had not changed despite intervention at senior levels. “The Chief Minister’s Office forwarded the complaint and asked the Animal Husbandry Department to take action, but there has been no visible improvement on the ground,” Chawla said.

DGCA has also informed NatConnect that a dedicated sub-committee of the AEMC has met several times to address issues such as illegal slaughter, carcass disposal and garbage dumping that could attract birds to the airport zone.

Members of the High Court-mandated Animal Welfare Committee have also requested the police to act against slaughter on pavements and the open sale of mutton and chicken, but said the directions had gone unheeded.

Activists have, therefore, urged the Prime Minister - a written copy of which Local Samos has accessed -  to ensure stricter enforcement so that safety norms are fully complied with as NMIA prepares to commence commercial operations.

While the NatConnect director, B N Kumar, appreciates the responses received to his earlier complaints on the PMO portal regarding illegal slaughter and the open sale of mutton and chicken, which attract large birds such as eagles and kites, he also expects that the DGCA would deal with the issue with utmost urgency.