Srinagar, Sep 13 (KNO): Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Anshul Garg, who is also the chairman of the Airfield Environment Management Committee, emphasized the need for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to ensure aerospace safety around the airfield.
Div Com made these remarks while chairing a high-level committee meeting today, here.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners of Budgam, Anantnag, and Pulwama, along with the Commissioner of Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC), Air Officer Commanding of Air Force Station Srinagar, Director Urban Local Bodies, ADC Srinagar, and officials from the Airport Authority, Pollution Control Board, Irrigation & Flood Control Department, and Rural Development Department.
During the meeting, Div Com issued a slew of directions aimed at enhancing airfield safety, particularly with regard to visibility, bird hazards, dog menace, and the regulation of carcass disposal in the proximity of the airport.
To improve air quality and visibility for aircraft, he directed the immediate closure of unlicensed brick kilns within an 8-kilometer radius of the airfield. Also, he called for the implementation of the zigzag technique in the operational brick kilns to minimize emission of pollutants.
Addressing the issue of bird hazards, especially the presence of Black Kites attracted by open waste dumps, Div Com instructed Deputy Commissioners, SMC Commissioner, and the Director of Urban Local Bodies to adopt scientific methods for the collection and disposal of solid waste, with special attention to villages identified by airfield authorities. He also emphasized the need for proper disposal of waste from slaughterhouses and butcher shops.
To mitigate the dog menace in and around the airfield, he directed the SMC to give priority to dog sterilization drives in the area. Besides, he stressed the importance of public sensitization campaigns to ensure proper disposal of dead animal carcasses by local residents.
Garg urged officials to utilize resources under centrally sponsored schemes through coordinated efforts across departments to effectively address the identified challenges.
Earlier in the meeting, Committee Secretary presented a detailed PowerPoint presentation outlining key safety concerns affecting the airfield environment—(KNO)