Bird-hit wakes up authorities to garbage menace

VASCO, NOV 11
In the wake of Thursday’s bird hit incident at Dabolim airport, South Goa Collector G P Naik has directed the local bodies and Navy authority to manage its garbage effectively to curb the growing bird-hit cases at the airport.
Naik convened an emergency meeting in the wake of the bird-hit incident that deflated seven tyres of a charter aircraft, after the pilot applied emergency brake.
MMC Chief Officer Gopal Parsekar, CVP Sarpanch Raul D’Costa, Mormugao Deputy Collector Levinson Martins, officers from Indian Navy, Deputy Director of Panchayat, Mormugao Block Development Officer, official from Airport Authority of India (AAI) and others were present at the meeting.
However, Thursday’s bird-hit incident is fifth in less than three months, as earlier in September, four bird hits were reported at Dabolim airport while landing.
Naik informed Navy officials that there has been accusation that garbage generated from Navy area and its residential colony has been disposed off openly and thus Navy was directed to take measures to manage its garbage.
Mormugao Municipal Council (MMC) and Chicalim Panchayat have also been directed to manage its garbage effectively and stress on door-to-door garbage collection.
Navy has been asked to cut the bushes and wild grass that has grown alongside the airfield and was also directed to effect Bird Hazard Control measures.
Earlier while speaking to reporters, Flag Officer of Goa Naval Area Rear Admiral Sudhir Pillai claimed that in the recent past, bird-hit cases have increased. He urged the local bodies and local community not to dispose off garbage in the open near the airfield, as it attracts birds.
“We are taking effective birds hazard control measures to ensure that bird-hit cases are kept under control,” said Pillai.