Official moved out as animals spotted at Hisar airport post his OK for PM Narendra Modi visit | Gurgaon News
GURGAON: One of Haryana’s seniormost wildlife officials was shunted out with immediate effect on Sunday night over a botched clearance for Hisar airport, which Prime Minister Narendra Modi is set to inaugurate on April 14.
Chief conservator of forest (south circle) Subhas Yadav was held responsible for the Hisar divisional wildlife officer’s March 6 safety certificate that said the compound was free of wildlife and there was no danger of any animals being on the airport’s runway during landings or take-offs, reports Ipsita Pati.
Sources said the assessment was found to be incorrect when officials went on a security inspection before another VVIP visit on March 9 – by President Droupadi Murmu – and spotted animals inside the airport perimeter. Following this, during Murmu’s visit, personnel were deployed to chase away any animal that might approach the runway.
A fresh survey was conducted on March 29 during which the presence of nilgai, foxes, jackals, wild boars, dogs, monitor lizards and other animals was confirmed inside the airport’s compound, sources said. The survey also highlighted bushes and tall grass (Saccharum spontaneum) in the area that concealed animals, making it challenging to remove them, the sources added.
When the contradictory reports reached the chief minister’s office, transfer orders were issued immediately with a directive to Yadav to report to headquarters on Monday. The wildlife department is headed by a principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF). The state has two CCFs (south and north) for wildlife. CMO deputed other officials to ensure the compound is clear by April 10.
