Gurgaon, Haryana – In a swift administrative response to a significant oversight with potential safety ramifications, one of Haryana’s highest-ranking wildlife officials was abruptly transferred on Sunday night.
The action came as a direct consequence of a compromised wildlife clearance issued for the Hisar airport, a facility slated for inauguration by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 14th. The Chief Conservator of Forest (South Circle) has been held accountable for a safety certificate issued on March 6th by the Hisar divisional wildlife officer. This certificate had declared the airport compound free of any wildlife presence, assuring no threat of animal interference during aircraft landings or take-offs. However, this assessment was swiftly proven inaccurate, triggering immediate concern and administrative repercussions. Sources privy to the developments revealed that the discrepancy came to light during a routine security inspection conducted ahead of a separate VVIP visit on March 9th by President Droupadi Murmu.
During this inspection, officials discovered the presence of various animals within the airport’s perimeter, directly contradicting the earlier wildlife clearance. Consequently, during the President’s visit, personnel had to be strategically deployed to actively deter any wildlife from approaching the airport runway, highlighting the immediate safety risk posed by the inaccurate assessment. A subsequent and more thorough wildlife survey was conducted on March 29th. This comprehensive assessment unequivocally confirmed the presence of a diverse range of wildlife within the airport’s boundaries, including nilgai, foxes, jackals, wild boars, stray dogs, monitor lizards, and other animal species, according to sources. The survey further highlighted the presence of dense bushes and tall grass, specifically Saccharum spontaneum, within the area. This vegetation not only provided effective concealment for the animals but also posed a significant challenge in their safe and effective removal from the airport premises.
Upon receiving these contradictory reports, the Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) took immediate cognizance of the serious lapse in protocol and the potential safety hazard. Transfer orders were issued without delay, instructing the Chief Conservator of Forest (South Circle) to report to the headquarters on Monday. The state’s wildlife department is overseen by a Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF), with two Chief Conservators of Forest managing the south and north wildlife circles. Recognizing the urgency of the situation, the CMO has also deputed other officials to ensure that the airport compound is completely clear of wildlife by the critical deadline of April 10th, just days before the Prime Minister’s scheduled inauguration. This incident underscores the critical importance of rigorous and accurate environmental impact assessments and wildlife management protocols, particularly in the vicinity of infrastructure projects like airports. The safety of air travel hinges on meticulous attention to detail and the proactive mitigation of potential hazards, including wildlife intrusions. The swift administrative action taken reflects the seriousness with which such lapses are viewed, especially when they could compromise the safety of VVIP movements and, by extension, all future airport operations.
The incident also raises broader questions about the integration of development projects with ecological considerations. Sustainable development necessitates a balanced approach, where infrastructural progress is undertaken with a deep understanding of and respect for the local ecosystem. Accurate wildlife surveys and effective mitigation strategies are not merely bureaucratic formalities but essential components of responsible and safe infrastructure development. The focus now will be on ensuring that the Hisar airport is indeed cleared of all wildlife hazards by the stipulated deadline, and that robust protocols are put in place to prevent any such occurrences in the future, safeguarding both human safety and the local biodiversity.
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