From lapwings to monitor lizards, RGIA reports 442 wildlife strikes in 4 years

Wild animals and birds faced wildlife strikes at Rajiv Gandhi International Airport in Hyderabad, Telangana, involving 442 incidents recorded between Jan 2023 and Aug 2026. Data obtained through an RTI application to the Directorate General of Civil Aviation showed that annual incidents rose from 101 in 2023 to 114 in 2024 and 133 in 2025. The Directorate General of Civil Aviation stated that landing and approach account for over sixty percent of these occurrences, rendering aircraft vulnerable close to the ground. Food accumulation, garbage dumping, landfills, and water bodies around the airport act as wildlife attractants. An official in GHMC’s sanitation wing explained regarding waste management challenges, “Despite repeated instructions to hand over their waste to Swachh auto vehicles, many refuse to do so.” To control the threat, Rajiv Gandhi International Airport has adopted multiple wildlife-control measures, including installing nylon-net fencing, black-light traps, habitat fragmenters, and software-based wildlife surveillance.

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The Times of India

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From lapwings to monitor lizards, RGIA reports 442 wildlife strikes in 4 years

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45 live reptiles seized at Trichy airport, 2 arrested

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NHAI Releases Document on ‘Wildlife Mitigation Measures & Structures’ Highlighting Strengthened Wildlife Conservation Measures Along National Highways