Indian ministry explores mobile tower impact on avian life

The Ministry of Environment and Forests in India is set to study the effects of radiation from mobile towers on avian life, according to the Hindu.

The Union Minister for Environment Jayanthi Natarajan spoke to reporters at the Beacon 2012, which is the sixth edition of the LIBA BEACON series which draws attention to environmental problems facing the country and the pressing need to augment investment, development and diffusion of eco-friendly technologies.

The report was commissioned after studies found that radiation has a negative impact on bees, as well as adverse effects on scavenger birds in certain parts of Orissa, North East India.

Ms. Natarajan told the news provider: "We're now worried that it (radiation) on a particular wavelength will have a deleterious effect on avian population. This is what prompted the study".

As well as commissioning studies, the ministry will also be writing to the Telecom Ministry to set up a mechanism, as well as a task force, to monitor radiation from mobile towers.

Posted by Lauren Steadman