Bhubaneswar: The ambitious Shree Jagannath International Airport project in Odisha’s Puri has hit a roadblock after the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) of the Union Environment Ministry withheld forest clearance, citing serious ecological concerns.

At the heart of the FAC's decision is the potential threat the project poses to Olive Ridley turtles, endangered Irrawaddy dolphins, and lakhs of migratory birds that flock to the nearby Chilika Lake — Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon. The FAC, in its June 24 meeting, stressed a precautionary approach and directed the Odisha government to seek recommendations from the Wildlife Institute of India (WII).

The airport, proposed at Sipasarubali in Puri district, is planned across 471 hectares of land, including 27.88 hectares of forest land. The project, cleared by the Union Civil Aviation Ministry on May 5, carries an estimated cost of ₹5,631 crore.

However, a detailed site inspection by the regional office of the Environment Ministry flagged the felling of over 13,000 trees — mostly casuarina, cashew, acacia and noni — that currently serve as a natural barrier against cyclones in the vulnerable coastal belt. Odisha, being cyclone-prone, could face intensified climatic risks without this green buffer, the office cautioned.

The FAC has asked the state government to justify the tree felling and submit a climate mitigation plan, particularly to address potential "climate eventualities" such as cyclones.

The Brahmagiri forest division, which lies close to the proposed site, is a known nesting zone for Olive Ridley turtles. The FAC raised concerns about the project's proximity to these sensitive areas. According to data submitted by the state, as of March 20 this year, 345 turtle nests were recorded in Brahmagiri, from which nearly 40,000 eggs were collected and 388 hatchlings were released.

Regarding concerns over Irrawaddy dolphins, the state informed that the Gopalpur regional centre of the Zoological Survey of India is currently undertaking a study.

On the threat to migratory birds and the risk of bird strikes to aircraft, the FAC noted that the project site falls along a key flyway zone. The Odisha government, however, countered that flights from eastern to southern Indian cities already operate within the same airspace and suggested a site-specific wildlife conservation plan with detailed mitigation measures could be drawn up.

The airport, envisioned to boost tourism and connectivity to the holy city of Puri, cannot proceed without green clearance.