Open drains, garbage bring birds to HAL

Open drains, garbage bring birds to HAL
TIMES NEWS NETWORK

Bangalore: An open drain located a few metres away from the landing strip at HAL Airport and a lake near the airport is more than enough to attract birds, especially kites.
The filth in Challaghatta Valley and uncleared carcasses in Bellandur Lake have been providing food for avi-fauna.
A large number of black kites, also called pariah kites, can be seen flying near the drain around Wind Tunnel Road in Murgeshpalya and Bellandur lake.
Some of the birds that frequent the valley near the airport also include brahmini kites (Garuda), pond heron as well as the common and jungle crows. Small, fast flying birds also flit across the airport grounds and barn owls converge near HAL airport after dusk.
Though there is a bird hazard combat team on round-theclock vigil at HAL airport, it is difficult to control kites which are relatively faster than most birds. An adult kite can weigh up to 2 kgs and could prove hazardous if it hits a plane.
“The birds are not confined to a single area, hence there is a need for a collaborative effort involving public and government agencies to keep away birds around airports. Care should be taken to remove eateries in the area as they dispose food in the open. We must create an environment which will not suit birds for roosting and hunting for food,’’ said Harish R Bhat, from IISc, who has conducted a study on avi-fauna in and around Devanahalli.
According to bird expert C Manjunath, the bird-hit at HAL should be an eye-opener for the new international airport which have a number of raptors. Apart from black and brahmini kites, even vultures and harriers are spotted around Devanahalli airport.
“There are a number of nonvegetarian joints along Bellary Road, and civic agencies should ensure garbage does not attract the birds. BIAL should also take up awareness programmes for the nearby villagers,’’ he added.