Chief conservator of forest (south circle) Subhas Yadav was removed from his post after officials discovered that an earlier safety clearance issued by the forest department was inaccurate. The clearance had claimed the area was free of wildlife and posed no risk to aircraft movement.
Initial clearance found to be incorrect
On March 6, the divisional wildlife officer in Hisar had issued a safety certificate confirming no wildlife was present in the airport area. Based on this report, preparations for VVIP visits proceeded.
However, during a security inspection on March 9 ahead of President Droupadi Murmu’s visit, officials saw animals inside the compound. Security personnel were then posted to prevent animals from approaching the runway during her visit.
Fresh survey reveals presence of animals
A detailed survey on March 29 confirmed that several animals, including nilgai, foxes, jackals, wild boars, dogs, and monitor lizards, were inside the compound. Officials said bushes and tall grass made it difficult to spot and remove animals from the area.
Sources said, “The survey also highlighted bushes and tall grass (Saccharum spontaneum) in the area that concealed animals, making it challenging to remove them.”
Immediate action by government
Once the findings reached the chief minister’s office, Yadav was asked to report to headquarters and was removed from field duty with immediate effect.“The wildlife department is headed by a principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF). The state has two CCFs (south and north) for wildlife,” sources said.
Officials from the Chief Minister’s Office have now been assigned to ensure the airport compound is cleared of wildlife by April 10.
