Operation launched to curb bird strikes near Lahore Airport

In a decisive move to reduce the risk of bird strikes near aircraft flight paths, the Punjab government has launched a coordinated grand operation around Lahore Airport, following directives from Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz.

Multiple departments including the Punjab Wildlife Rangers, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Municipal Corporation, and the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) — have mobilised under a unified bird hazard management plan aimed at improving aviation safety.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Syed Kamran Bukhari, Additional Director General of Punjab Wildlife Rangers, confirmed that an 8-kilometre radius around the airport has officially been designated a “No-Bird Zone.” Emergency measures are underway to limit bird activity and disrupt breeding patterns within this restricted area.

Wildlife Rangers have mapped key nesting sites of kites (cheels) and are actively removing two to three nests daily. Rescue 1122 teams are assisting in dismantling nests built atop mobile towers and electricity poles, which are difficult to access without specialised support.

Authorities are also addressing conditions that attract scavenger birds. The Municipal Corporation and LWMC have intensified crackdowns on illegal meat vendors, particularly along high-risk corridors such as Canal Road, Saggian Bridge, and Ravi Bridge — areas where leftover meat and waste often attract large numbers of kites. Several vendors have already been removed as part of this initiative.

Photo: FILE

The EPA has also begun action against residents who keep wild pigeons on their rooftops within the No-Bird Zone. A targeted campaign is underway to dismantle cages and pigeon traps, which contribute to increased bird concentrations near the airport.

Experts note that bird strikes remain a serious threat to aviation safety, potentially endangering both aircraft and passengers. The Punjab government’s recent measures are being hailed as a vital step toward stricter environmental regulation, greater public awareness, and compliance with international aviation safety standards.