Bird hazard committee takes flight in Rawalpindi

Aims to remove bird cages from rooftops, prevent avian collisions with aircraft

RAWALPINDI:

The Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA) on Wednesday constituted a special committee to remove cages of birds from residential rooftops and other preventive measures in different parts of the city. The committee was set up under the chairmanship of the Director of Estate Management.

The meeting of the Bird Hazard Control Committee was held under the chairmanship of RDA Director General Kinza Murtaza to take immediate measures to remove bird cages from the roofs of houses and other measures to prevent birds from colliding with planes in the air and causing accidents.

During the meeting, an officer of the Pakistan Air Force (PAF) gave a presentation on bird hazards and garbage dumping threats to national assets. The meeting was informed that the presence of birds, particularly, pigeons, on heaps of garbage and other places besides incidents of firing in various locations of Rawalpindi, including Ali Nawaz Chowk, Tipu Road, near RIC Hospital, Dhok Khabba, and Rawal Road has become a genuine concern fit air traffic. The PAF official requested the removal of cages from the rooftops.

RDA DG Kinza Murtaza clarified that the district administration and the Authority would take more steps in the Rawalpindi division and constituted a committee headed by Director Estate Management Shehzad Gondal. Shehzad informed that 80 to 85% of cages have been removed so far and more will be eliminated on the identification of the PAF.

The RDA DG directed the committee that the RWMC should immediately hold a meeting with the Cantonment Board to clear the garbage heaps from various places and improve the sanitation system.

Regarding the firing incidents, a Rawalpindi police officer informed the participants that no incident of firing has been reported so far this year.

Kinza Murtaza also directed to start of an awareness campaign regarding the danger of kite flying in public and private schools.

RDA Additional Director General Owais Manzoor Tarar, Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation CO Amjad Hussain Dhillon, the representatives of the Pakistan Army, Wildlife, Slaughter and other departments also participated in the meeting.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 28^th, 2024.