Aircraft over Koyna Dam sparks panic
An aircraft flying over the vital installation in Satara led to panic among security officers.
An aircraft flying low over Koyna Dam,a vital installation in Satara district,on Tuesday afternoon led to panic among security officers manning the dam but it soon transpired that the aircraft could have been making sorties for an aerial survey by the National Geophysical Research Institute (NGRI),Hyderabad,as a precursor to its study on intra-plate seismicity in the region.
Even as the Satara police launched a suo motu probe to learn whether the aircraft had flown low over Koyna,it has come to light,from accounts of forest officials,that the NGRI has been carrying out aerial surveys over the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (which includes the Koyna dam) for the past six days,apparently without permission from the forest department.
The NGRI,a body under the Ministry of Earth Sciences,is believed to be carrying out a Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) survey as a preliminary part of its project to study earthquake mechanism in Koyna-Warna region through deep scientific drilling.
Deputy superintendent of police,Satara,Mitesh Ghatte said,“We have not received any formal complaint but an investigation is on to know whether the aircraft was actually flying over the dam,a vital installation. Attempts are on to know the reasons and whether necessary permissions were sought.”
Honorary wildlife warden Rohan Bhate of Karad has filed a complaint with the state forest department that NGRI has been flying aircraft for the LiDAR survey for the last six days in Sahyadri Tiger Reserve,without seeking permissions.
Bhate said,“The aircraft was seen flying low in different areas of the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve,which includes Chandoli and Koyna forests and the dam. The aircraft was seen flying over Koyna dam around 12.30pm Tuesday. But security officers at Koyna dam were unaware of the LiDAR survey. So they panicked considering it as a security threat.”
“The NGRI has not taken necessary permissions from the National Board of Wildlife (NBW) or the state forest department for an aerial survey,” he said.
Kishor Rithe,a member of NBW told The Indian Express,“Permission from NBW is a must for aerial survey of forest areas. But so far the standing committee of NBW has not received any proposal from NGRI for an aerial survey over Koyna and Chandoli forest areas.”
Mohan Karnat,chief conservator of forest,Kolhapur,confirmed that no approval was given by his office to NGRI for an aerial survey in Sahyadri Tiger Reserve area.
“I contacted NGRI authorities today. They claimed there was no violation of norms from their side,” he said.
The state forest department has recorded the date,time and area where the aircraft was seen flying low over the Tiger Reserve. “We noted some spots in Chandoli forest area along with date and time the aircraft was seen. We will submit a report to seniors,” said assistant conservator of forest S L Zure.
When contacted,Dr Purnachandra Rao,senior principal scientist,NGRI,who heads the project to study earthquake mechanism,refused to comment. He asked the reporter to contact the NGRI director,who,however,was not available for comment.
Chandan Read More
Share
