Odisha
Environmental Concerns Raised Over Proposed Puri International Airport
- 14 Apr 2026
- 2 min read
Why in News?
The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has warned that the proposed Shree Jagannath International Airport in Puri district of Odisha could pose serious risks to migratory birds, Olive Ridley turtles and coastal ecosystems near the Chilika Lake Ramsar site.
Key Points
- Project Location: The proposed Shree Jagannath International Airport is planned at Sipasurubali village in Brahmagiri tehsil of Puri district.
- The site lies close to Balukhanda–Konark Wildlife Sanctuary and about 16 km from Chilika Lake, a Ramsar wetland and major habitat for migratory birds.
- Around 27.887 hectares of forest land are proposed for diversion.
- The project has received in-principle Stage-I approval for forest land diversion from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
- Risk of Bird Strikes: The area falls along the Central Asian Flyway, a major migratory bird corridor.
- This raises the possibility of bird-aircraft collisions during take-off and landing, posing risks to both aviation safety and wildlife.
- Threat to Marine Species: The project could also affect Olive Ridley turtles, whose nesting grounds are located around 2.3 km from the proposed airport site.
- The nearby sea is also a habitat for Irrawaddy dolphins.
- Environmental Impact: Construction may require felling over 13,500 trees, which currently act as a bio-shield protecting the coast from cyclones, sand-dune expansion and saltwater intrusion.
| Read More: Chilika Lake, Balukhanda–Konark Wildlife Sanctuary, Olive Ridley turtles, Irrawaddy dolphins |
