Range trapped in digging error

For reasons unknown, agencies overseeing the construction work at the Karni Singh Shooting Ranges have extensively dug up the shotgun ranges, without realising that they were flouting the norms that govern the sport, reports Ajai Masand.

It’s a classic case of shooting in the dark. For reasons unknown, agencies overseeing the construction work at the Karni Singh Shooting Ranges have extensively dug up the shotgun ranges, without realising that they were flouting the norms that govern the sport.

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While the flight of the clay pigeons in trap shooting is about 76 metres and in double trap it is about 55 metres, the authorities in all their collective wisdom, have dug up the ranges around the 45-metre mark in order to plant trees.

“It’s a sheer waste of time, energy and money… had we not noticed the anomaly, they would have even planted saplings around the 45-metre mark, which would have grown into full-fledged trees by the time the World Cup and the Commonwealth Games are to be held,” said a top trap shooter.

“The clay birds can fly to a distance of 75-76 metres, while the 12 bore bullets have a range of 80-85 metres. And they were planning to plant trees right in the middle of the flight of the clay pigeons," said an international double trap shooter, adding that had the national camp for shotgun not started, this flaw would have gone unnoticed.

“We pointed it out and they finally stopped work. But all this has left mounds of rubble all over the beautiful ranges,” he said. “It’s now a norm world over that plants are grown in the background to ensure proper sighting of the light-coloured clay pigeons. But all that is done at a distance of around 100 metres or more,” he said.

“Had those fast-growing trees been planted at 45 metres, most of the pigeons would have disappeared right into the foliage, without the marksman even getting the opportunity to shoot them down,” he said.

Giving scant regard to the health of the shooters preparing for the upcoming World Cup in Cairo, the Sports Authority of India (SAI) has sanctioned the three-week-long national camp in what resembles a dustbowl now.

Swirling winds, the noise of bulldozers, dust raked up by the construction works and mindless digging has only added to the plight of the shooters.

Range administrator Satyajit Sankrit, when asked about the digging work along the entire stretch of the shotgun range, refused to speak. "I am not the competent authority," he said.