'IAF station that hosts Aero India part of forest land'

WITH just about two months to go for the much-awaited biennial Aero India, Air Force Station Yelahanka—where the country's premier air show takes place from February 10-14—has come under the radar of the Karnataka government.

- BOSKY KHANNA

The state forest department has raised the red flag saying the land where Aero India is held is part of a 159.28 acre reserve forest patch in Survey Number 49, in Gantiganahalli forest block in Bengaluru north taluk, and has sought land in its lieu somewhere else in the city.

According to the October 1, 1931 gazette notification and government order, the land is a reserve forest patch, and there is no indication of it being denotified. The state government has been hosting the Aero India at the location since 1996.