To check bird-hit, IAF wants to net falcons

The MOEF has refused to clear the proposal on the grounds that falcons are on the list of endangered species. So the ministry recently proposed that the IAF try the same concept with a less endangered species.

According to Additional Director General (Wildlife) Vinod Rishi, the MOEF has asked the IAF for certain clarifications. ‘‘While the IAF has suggested the breeding of falcons based on certain inputs from the US Air Force, we have suggested some indigenous methods which are equally successful’’ said Rishi. ‘‘Maybe there could be some other species of birds which could be used. We can take a decision on this once the Ministry of Defence sends us their reply,’’ he said.

It all started with the IAF worrying about its loss of aircraft due to bird-hits. Worried that it was losing nearly Rs 100 crore in bird-hits every year, IAF suggested that falcons be reared to deal with the bird menace. The proposal noted that the US Air Force, faced with a similar problem, had employed falcons at the Andrews and Clarks Airforce base.

Many meetings between officials of Air Headquarters and Paryavaran Bhawan failed. One as late as last month also ended inconclusively. The MOEF insisted that falcons cannot be kept in cages as that’s against the law. The IAf is now studying the feasibility of raising a falcon unit, hoping for a clearance soon.