Bird Strikes Raise Safety Concerns at Kangra Airport; MP Sikander Kumar Flags Issue in Parliament

Shimla, July 29:
Rajya Sabha MP Dr. Sikander Kumar on Tuesday raised serious concerns in Parliament about safety at Kangra Airport, highlighting the growing presence of birds near the airfield. He said increased bird activity poses a significant risk to both aircraft and passenger safety. Dr. Kumar asked the Union Civil Aviation Minister whether the government had been informed about this environmental threat and whether any bird strike incidents had been officially recorded over the past two years.

In response, Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Ram Mohan Naidu informed the House that no environmental threat reports have been submitted by airlines operating at Kangra Airport. However, he confirmed that two incidents involving bird/wildlife strikes were recorded at the airport between July 1, 2023, and June 30, 2025. The minister added that the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) already has clear guidelines in place for managing wildlife hazards at licensed airports, and compliance is ensured through regular annual safety inspections.

Dr. Kumar also sought information about national efforts to ensure flight safety across India. Additionally, he raised concerns related to the condition and conservation of water bodies in Himachal Pradesh.

Replying to this, Union Minister of State for Jal Shakti, Raj Bhushan Choudhary, stated that a comprehensive action plan for the year 2025 has been approved under the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) for sustainable urban river management. As part of this initiative, river-sensitive master planning and training programs will be organized in various states to integrate river conservation into urban planning.

The minister further informed the House that the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, has developed an information dashboard aimed at promoting the biodiversity and protection of freshwater ecosystems. This dashboard provides data related to the ecology of rivers—including the Ganga basin—pollution hotspots, and conservation efforts.

Speaking specifically about Himachal Pradesh, the minister said the State Pollution Control Board regularly inspects areas near water bodies to prevent illegal waste dumping and imposes penalties under the ‘polluter pays’ principle. He added that district-level committees have also been formed to monitor and prevent the illegal disposal of debris from road construction and other activities.