The rapid advancement of the Noida Airport project, spearheaded by Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, is significantly altering the local landscape and displacing several villages. In response to the environmental impact, authorities have launched a comprehensive wildlife rehabilitation plan.

A dedicated shelter for displaced animals is set to be constructed on a 10-hectare site near Dhanauri Wetland, under a 30-year lease agreement. The project, which carries a budget of Rs 5 crore, aims to safeguard local wildlife and mitigate ecological disruption. Noida International Airport Limited (NIAL) will oversee the management of this new facility.

The development of the Noida International Airport’s first phase, covering 1,334 hectares and encompassing six villages, is affecting an area inhabited by various wildlife species, including Nilgai, Black Buck, Indian Chinkara, monkeys, golden jackals, wild cats, and cranes. To address the environmental impact, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in Dehradun has recommended the creation of a rescue centre as part of a broader biodiversity conservation strategy.

YEIDA CEO Arun Veer Singh approved the centre’s construction, which will span 10 hectares – 5 from YEIDA and 5 from the Forest Department.

The budget for the upcoming wildlife rescue centre has been outlined, with Rs 74 lakh allocated for an animal hospital and Rs 21 lakh for a quarantine centre. The facility will feature specialised enclosures for various species, including monkeys, Nilgai, and black deer. An annual maintenance budget of Rs 10 lakh will be required to ensure its proper upkeep.

Currently, the construction proposal is pending final approval from the Central Zoo Authority (CZA). The proposal has received the CZA’s drawing committee’s approval and is now undergoing technical review. Once the technical scrutiny is completed, it will be submitted to the Ministry of Environment and Forests for final authorisation. The state government will then select a construction agency to carry out the project.