Punjab Implements Bird Control Measures near Lahore Airport

The Punjab government is cracking down on bird activity near Lahore Airport to improve aviation safety, designating several neighborhoods as 'No Bird Zones' under a new initiative. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz instructed the city's district administration, Punjab Wildlife Department, and the Environment Protection Agency to take coordinated action. Areas like Eastern Bypass, Manawan, Hospital Dahori Wala, PKLI, Chungi Amar Sidhu, Ichhra, and Chah Miran are under strict monitoring, with protective airspace created for commercial flights. The aim is to reduce bird strikes, especially during take-off and landing, by minimizing bird presence around low-altitude flight paths.

Senior Provincial Minister Maryam Aurangzeb is overseeing the mobilization of Punjab's first dedicated Wildlife Force. The Wildlife Department has directed field rangers to enforce new restrictions. Regulations are being tightened for slaughterhouses, poultry farms, bakeries, and leather-processing units, requiring compliance with environmental controls like banning open disposal of animal waste and hides. Feeding birds in public areas, rooftops, and shrines is now prohibited, as is keeping or flying large numbers of pigeons. Garbage dumping near the airport is banned, and covered waste bins are mandatory in specific zones to prevent bird attraction, with any such activity considered a safety breach.

Legal action under the Punjab Wildlife Act will be taken for non-compliance, with monitoring teams ensuring adherence to regulations. Authorities emphasize that the initiative aligns with international aviation safety standards, demonstrating a commitment to safer skies around Lahore.

According to the source: The Express Tribune.