To safeguard local wildlife affected by the construction of the Noida International Airport, authorities will begin work next month on a dedicated Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre near the Dhanauri wetland in Jewar. Spread over 10 hectares, the centre will include a veterinary hospital, quarantine units, and special enclosures for different animal species.
The initiative follows a biodiversity conservation plan prepared by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in 2019, which identified the Indian blackbuck and sarus crane as key species residing in the 1,334 hectares acquired for the airport’s first phase. During the survey, 258 blackbucks and 76 sarus cranes (across 31 sightings) were recorded in and around the project area, extending up to a 25 km radius.
🛑 Protection Status:
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Indian Blackbuck: Listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 — requiring minimum trauma during any capture or relocation.
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Sarus Crane: Recognized as “Vulnerable” by the IUCN and also protected under Schedule I of India’s wildlife laws. Hunting or capturing them is strictly prohibited.
In addition to these species, the survey also observed other wildlife such as nilgai, Indian gazelle, monkeys, golden jackals, and jungle cats on the airport land.
Recently, the Central Zoo Authority of India gave the green light for the center. Following this, the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority (YEIDA) issued a Rs 3.5 crore tender to appoint a construction agency for the project. The horticulture department of YEIDA will be overseeing the implementation.
As India pushes ahead with large infrastructure projects like the Noida International Airport, initiatives like this wildlife rescue center reflect the growing need to balance development with ecological responsibility. Mitigation efforts such as habitat preservation, species relocation, and medical care for displaced wildlife are essential to prevent biodiversity loss in rapidly urbanizing zones.
