“I think this must be the only airport in the country having this kind of vegetation,” said Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (Wildlife) P Majumdar. “In July, we had written to the Director General of Civil Aviation, Chairman of the Airport Authority of India and the Civil Aviation Minister that certain steps need to be taken for resolving the issue. Unfortunately, there is no follow-up. They say they have no funds.”

Airport Controller S N Borkar said, “Wildlife laws are so strict that we can’t do anything about the animals. But now we have begun removing the vegetation, and it should take a month’s time to complete it.” Meanwhile, the Forest Department has registered offenses under the Wildlife Protection Act.