Punjab government will establish 'No Bird Zones: in and around Lahore to reduce the risk of bird strikes near airports after Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz directed several departments to enforce strict actions aimed at reducing bird presence along aircraft flight paths.

 

 

The district administration, Wildlife Department, and Environment Protection Authority have been tasked with the operation. Aerial safety barriers, known as 'ring fencing' will be implemented in specific areas to deter bird gatherings. Additionally, the government has launched Punjab’s first Wildlife Force to undertake field operations, overseen by Senior Provincial Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, who also manages environment protection, climate change, and wildlife portfolios.

 

 

A range of enforcement actions has been initiated to eliminate factors attracting birds around airports. Unlawful slaughterhouses and poultry farms will be closed, and strict waste disposal regulations will be enforced for bakeries and other establishments. Businesses lacking environmental protections, such as poultry farms, slaughterhouses, and bakeries, will be prohibited from operating near airports. The processing of leather tanning in open spaces will also be banned.

 

 

Further restrictions include an outright ban on scattering grains on rooftops and in public areas like shrines, along with a ban on breeding pigeons and large-scale pigeon flying within designated zones. Disposing of garbage or food waste in open locations near airports has been completely forbidden, and the use of covered waste bins is now compulsory.

 

 

Wildlife Rangers have been ordered to commence operations without delay. Various sites, including Lahore Eastern Bypass, Manawan Hospital Dahoori Wala, PKLI, Chungi Amar Sidhu, Ichhra, and Chah Miran, have been designated No Bird Zones where these operations will begin.

 

 

As per a notification from the Punjab government, rigorous enforcement of the Punjab Wildlife Act will be pursued. Breaches will lead to arrests, penalties, and fines. The notification highlighted that bird strikes during takeoff, landing, and low-altitude flights significantly contribute to aircraft accidents.

 

 

The government cited statistics from the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO) and the International Air Transport Association (IATA), noting that over 90 percent of bird strike incidents occur below 3,000 feet.