Green Nod Delayed for Puri Airport Over Ecological Concerns

Bhubaneswar: The proposed Shree Jagannath International Airport in Puri has hit a major roadblock after the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change withheld forest clearance, citing significant ecological concerns.

During its meeting held on June 24, the FAC flagged the project’s potential impact on endangered Olive Ridley turtles, Irrawaddy dolphins, and migratory birds frequenting Chilika Lake, Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon located near the proposed airport site. The panel recommended a precautionary approach and instructed the Odisha government to consult with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) before proceeding further.

The airport is proposed to be built at Sipasarubali in Puri district, across 471 hectares, including 27.88 hectares of forest land, at an estimated cost of ₹5,631 crore. While the project received initial approval from the Union Civil Aviation Ministry on May 5, its future now remains uncertain pending environmental clearance.

A site inspection report from the Environment Ministry’s regional office highlighted that the project involves felling more than 13,000 trees, including casuarina, cashew, acacia, and noni — species that serve as natural cyclone buffers in a storm-prone region. The FAC has asked the Odisha government to justify the deforestation and submit a comprehensive climate mitigation plan, particularly addressing cyclone resilience.

The proposed site falls close to the Brahmagiri forest division, a known nesting area for Olive Ridley turtles. Data provided by the state government revealed that 345 nests were recorded there as of March 20, with nearly 40,000 eggs collected and 388 hatchlings released this year. The FAC raised concerns that the airport could disrupt this fragile nesting ecosystem.

Regarding the presence of Irrawaddy dolphins, the Odisha government informed the committee that a study is underway by the Zoological Survey of India’s Gopalpur regional centre.

On the issue of migratory birds and the risk of bird strikes, the FAC observed that the site falls along a key avian flyway. While the state government argued that aircraft already operate in similar airspaces and proposed a site-specific conservation plan, the FAC called for further evaluation.

Conceived to enhance connectivity and promote tourism in Puri, one of India’s most revered pilgrimage destinations, the Shree Jagannath International Airport cannot proceed until it secures mandatory green clearances.