Wreckage of AI-171 outside Ahmedabad airport Ahmedabad: Five months after London-bound AI-171 crashed after takeoff on June 12, Ahmedabad airport has launched a massive wildlife management campaign to reduce the risk of bird and animal strikes around the airfield, killing all 241 people on board. In collaboration with the Forest Department, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport has started relocating many species of birds and mammals found in and around the complex to underserved areas.

50-100 km away from the city. A major translocation operation involving 1,000 giant fruit bats is currently underway, officials said.

A large number of bats living near Kotarpur near the airport on the banks of Sabarmati river are being captured and released in Polo Forest, a protected habitat about 150 km away. “Giant fruit bats have become a particular concern,” a source said.

“During night-time inspections, blood stains were often found on the runway or near the aircraft, but there were no wing feathers, indicating bat attacks. Following these findings and based on recommendations from the Airports Authority of India (AAI), the decision to relocate some species was taken during a series of joint review meetings. ” Blackheaded Ibis.

An official said species commonly found around the SVPIA – such as rock pigeon, cattle egret, house crow, Indian roller and common myna – are being monitored as part of the ongoing wildlife threat management.