Imphal, March 15, 2010: A comprehensive plan to control bird-menace and reduce bird-strike rate will be taken up at Imphal Airport where works for providing night landing facilities as first step to upgrade into an international airport is in progress.

The Airfield Environment Management Committee (AEMC) of Imphal Airport in its first meeting since inception has decided to formulate comprehensive planned needed to be implemented to control bird-menace and reduce bird-strike rate at Imphal Airport, an official source said.

The comprehensive plan will be taken up on the basis of keeping the environment of the airport and it's surrounding clean, use of organic means to control breeding of insects and pests in stagnant water bodies in and around airport.

No major incidents related with bird-hits that caused in the operation of the flight reported but statistical data of aircraft movement and the number of bird-hits in last year, 2009 expressed serious concern regarding the frequency of bird-hits, from the operational point of view, the source maintained.

Besides being a serious safety hazard the bird-strikes also heavy financial and logistical implications for aviation related activities which emphasis to have effective ways and means for waste/sewage and garbage disposal for controlling environmental pollution in and around the airport.

The planned is to be taken up in line with the scope and content of the Enforcement of Rule 91 of Aircraft Act, 1937, maintained the source and agreed to co-opt Chairperson/Executive Officer, Imphal Municipal Council, for formulating and monitoring an efficient garbage and waste/sewage disposal plan to keep the environment in and around the airport clean.

State forest department (wildlife wing) has been asked to take up an extensive study of the birds, their types, breeding grounds and migratory pattern in and around Imphal Airport for implementation of an effective environment management programme.

The AEMC will be co-opted by the Veterinary and Animal Husbandry, Forest Department, Health Department, source further said adding that the state Transport Department being the Nodal Agency for aviation related activities in Manipur will also be invited suggestion.

It is pertinent to mention here that the state Transport Department has been taking up works for night landing facilities at Imphal Airport under the project implemented under the Prime Minister Package Programme.

Installation works for Solar Power Obstruction Light (SPOL) at the four hills � Baruni (Nongmaijing) Hill, Heibok Hill, Chingphu Hill and Phunal Maring Hill � surrounding the Airport to facilitate landing of planes during night time have been completed.

The trial for the land landing was scheduled to planned in May last year but it has been delayed the Ministry of Civil Aviation is yet to give clearance which would be given after examining the works.

Comment