The Punjab government has intensified bird hazard control measures in areas surrounding Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore, to reduce the risk of bird strikes that threaten aviation safety. The decision follows multiple complaints from airport authorities and pilots about increasing bird activity near flight paths.
In response, the Lahore Waste Management Company (LWMC) and other relevant municipal bodies have been directed to implement strict cleanliness protocols, particularly within a 15-kilometre radius of the airport. This includes immediate removal of animal carcasses, proper waste disposal, and continuous surveillance of landfill sites.
According to officials, the most high-risk areas include Haji Kot, Haji Park, Tajpura, Lakho Der, and parts of Harbanspura, where open dumping and improper waste management have contributed to attracting large numbers of birds. These locations fall directly under active flight routes, increasing the potential for collisions between birds and aircraft during take-off and landing.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) raised concerns over frequent bird strike incidents, especially during peak flight hours. As a result, the provincial government issued directives for intensified bird control operations, daily inspections, and interdepartmental coordination between local administrations and airport management.
The district administration has also banned all illegal poultry slaughter points and ordered that licensed slaughterhouses follow strict guidelines on waste disposal. Mobile squads have been deployed to monitor compliance and penalize violators who contribute to the growing bird hazard around the airport zone.
In addition, the Parks and Horticulture Authority (PHA) has been tasked with trimming trees that are known to attract nesting birds near critical flight paths. Routine fogging and bird repellent systems are also being deployed around the perimeter of the airport to deter bird presence.
The Lahore Deputy Commissioner emphasized that these efforts are not temporary but part of a sustained campaign to ensure aviation safety and protect passengers. He warned that negligence or non-compliance by residents or businesses within the buffer zone would not be tolerated.
Environmental experts have also called for long-term waste management solutions to control bird populations near airports. They stressed that while fogging and bird scarers are short-term deterrents, reducing food sources through strict sanitation is key to minimizing the threat.
Bird strikes remain a serious safety hazard for aircraft and passengers globally, with Pakistan experiencing several such incidents in recent years, particularly at airports surrounded by dense urban activity and unregulated dumping grounds.
The latest measures underscore the provincial government’s commitment to aviation safety and reflect growing awareness of the risks posed by environmental neglect in urban zones adjacent to critical infrastructure. The authorities have urged public cooperation and compliance to ensure that Lahore’s skies remain safe for domestic and international air traffic.
