NMIA says it will keep planes and birds safe, what the new plan does, in simple words
Published 12 Sep 2025, 6:59 PM IST
Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA) operators have told local groups and the media that they are putting a full Wildlife Hazard Management Programme (WHMP) in place so flights are safer and birds are protected. The plan focuses on removing things that attract birds near the runway, closely watching bird movement in a wide area, and using trained teams and devices to keep birds away from aircraft paths. A local appeal also seeks a Government Resolution (GR) to declare DPS Flamingo Lake a conservation reserve, so roosting sites get legal protection.
What’s new today
Public assurance: Airport authorities have said they will keep the “skies safe for planes and birds,” while residents’ groups pushed for firm protection of nearby flamingo habitats.
Active programme running: Recent reports say NMIA has already finished habitat mapping around the airport, marked high-risk zones, removed bird-attracting plants, and even diverted parts of the Ulwe river to reduce roosting near flight paths. A certified auditor, Birdgard India, has surveyed a 13 km radius for risks.
Regulatory push: India’s aviation regulator DGCA (Directorate General of Civil Aviation) asks all airports to enforce rules that ban waste dumps, slaughterhouses and similar bird-attracting activities within 10 km of a runway. The issue has come up around Ulwe in recent months and remains under close watch.
How the system works, step by step
1) Map and monitor bird movement
Specialists survey a large circle around the airport to spot feeding and resting sites, seasonal patterns, and daily flight paths. NMIA says it has done habitat mapping and geo-tagging of risky spots. This helps plan where to act first and when to scale up during bird seasons.
2) Remove what attracts birds
The best way to avoid bird strikes is to remove the attractants. That means controlling open garbage, meat and fish waste, and stagnant water that bring flocks. DGCA rules back this with a 10 km safety ring around airports. Local bodies are expected to enforce this, while the airport teams keep reporting problem sites.
3) Change the habitat near the runway
Near the runway, the airport can reduce roosting by keeping grass at the right height, clearing invasive plants that birds prefer, and re-shaping small water bodies. At NMIA, authorities say invasive vegetation was removed and parts of the Ulwe river were diverted to shift regular bird congregation away from flight paths.
4) Use trained teams and bird-scaring devices
On the airfield, wildlife control teams patrol with tools like bio-acoustic speakers and other approved bird-scaring devices. These create sounds that tell birds to move away without harming them. DGCA has asked airports to ensure such teams and devices are always in place, especially during monsoon when bird activity rises.
5) Keep improving with data
Every bird sighting and every scare event is logged. If a bird strike is reported, it is investigated and the plan is updated for that location and season. India has also briefed ICAO (global aviation body) about its risk-based wildlife hazard approach, and NMIA has presented its early experience to the region’s safety groups.
How this protects both planes and birds
For planes: Most bird strikes happen during take-off and landing. By cutting food and roosting near the runway, the chance of birds meeting aircraft drops sharply. If birds still show up, patrols move them quickly so aircraft can pass safely.
For birds: Keeping feeding and resting areas away from flight paths and giving sensitive sites legal protection (like the proposed DPS Flamingo Lake conservation reserve) helps flocks continue their natural cycles without being chased daily from the runway area.
Mumbai has seen a rise in bird-strike incidents at the existing city airport, with officials pointing to waste sites and growing bird populations as key reasons. This is why Navi Mumbai’s plan stresses habitat control, waste discipline, and coordination with local bodies from day one.
Sources
Deccan Herald: Airport authorities’ assurance and call to protect DPS Flamingo Lake as a conservation reserve. Source
Hindustan Times (and epaper link): Details on NMIA’s habitat mapping, removal of invasive vegetation, and Ulwe river diversion; audit by Birdgard India in a 13 km radius. Source
DGCA advisories and rules: Airports to deploy wildlife teams and scaring devices; ban on bird-attracting activities within 10 km of airports. Source
ICAO/APAC papers: India’s risk-based wildlife hazard approach; NMIA’s experience shared with regional safety groups. Source
Region context: Recent data and meetings on rising bird-strike risk in Mumbai and the role of waste and roosting sites. Source
