66 casuarina trees adorn Salt Lake median
"A total of 66 small-sized Casuarina trees have been planted on the median divider. The plan is to beautify more such median stretches," said local councillor and BMC chairman, Sabyasachi Dutta.
Locals said the median divider stretches across Salt Lake are mostly in shambles. "Not only defunct cable lines, old worn out party flags, rubbish and even abandoned clothes could also be seen dumped on the median stretches," said Pritam Majumdar, a resident.
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The BMCis taking up a drive to plant 200 small and medium-sized fruit trees along the roadside and in parks in Salt Lake .
"Mango, rose apple, guava, sapota, among other tress will be planted," said BMC MMIC (environment), Rahima Bibi Mondal. Tall trees are not being planted to avoid accidents.
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News18
an hour ago
- News18
‘Irony Died 1000 Times': Jain Temple Pigeon Nets Spark Backlash Amid The Kabutarkhana Row
Last Updated: The photo comes at a time when the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been actively shutting down pigeon-feeding spots across Mumbai. A photo from outside a Jain temple in Mumbai is gained widespread attention online as the city continues to clamp down on pigeon-feeding zones. The image, shows safety nets installed on temple windows to keep pigeons out. This has led to accusations of hypocrisy against the very community that has been protesting against the closure of public feeding spots. Many online users questioned how pigeons are welcomed in public spaces but kept out of religious ones. 'Hypocrisy At Its Best' The picture was reportedly taken near Dadar's Kabutarkhana which is one of the city's oldest and most prominent pigeon-feeding spots. The photo shows nets fixed on the temple's windows. The caption shared along with the photo reads, 'Guess what Dadar's Jain temple stands opposite Kabutarkhana. Nets are installed on the temple to keep pigeons out." Guess what Dadar's Jain temple stands opposite Kabutarkhana. Nets are installed on the temple to keep pigeons out. 😂😂😂 — Zoro (@wildcardgyan_) August 6, 2025 In the comment section, people pointed to what they saw as a contradiction in the community's actions as they were defending the right to feed pigeons in public while preventing them from entering temple premises. 'Someone file a petition to get that removed. Poor pigeons need to rest in the shade of the Jain temple," a person said. 'Hypocrisy, if they really love animals they should let the pigeons in along with the stray dogs around," someone else wrote while an individual remarked, 'The drama writes itself." The Court Order And Its Fallout The photo comes at a time when the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been actively shutting down pigeon-feeding spots across Mumbai following a Bombay High Court ruling on July 31. The order directed the closure of all kabutarkhanas, citing health risks caused by bird droppings including respiratory issues like 'pigeon lung," damage to heritage sites and nuisance complaints. Soon after, the BMC barricaded many of these sites using tarpaulin covers and bamboo fencing. Warning notices were put up and feeding in public was banned. FIRs were ordered to be filed against violators. Faith And Tradition For many in the Jain and Gujarati communities, feeding pigeons is seen as a religious duty and part of their ancestral traditions. It is closely tied to the idea of jeeva-daya which means compassion towards all living beings and is often considered a way to earn good blessings. Since the ban, several Jain trusts and local groups have voiced strong opposition. At Dadar Kabutarkhana, organisers claimed that nearly 980 pigeons have died due to lack of food. Animal welfare groups have also stepped. They questioned the medical evidence behind the health claims and demanded humane alternatives rather than outright bans. Protests On Thursday morning, hundreds of people, mostly from the Jain community, gathered at Dadar Kabutarkhana in open defiance of the court's order. Protesters tore down tarpaulin covers, climbed over barricades and scattered grains to feed the birds. Police were called in to manage the situation and disperse the crowd. According to BMC data, fines worth Rs 68,700 have been collected from 142 people across various kabutarkhanas between July 13 and August 3. Of these, 61 fines were issued at Dadar alone. About the Author Buzz Staff A team of writers at bring you stories on what's creating the buzz on the Internet while exploring science, cricket, tech, gender, Bollywood, and culture. News18's viral page features trending stories, videos, and memes, covering quirky incidents, social media buzz from india and around the world, Also Download the News18 App to stay updated! tags : mumbai pigeon viral news view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
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Business Standard
5 hours ago
- Business Standard
Explained: Why feeding pigeons has become a political flashpoint in Mumbai
A seemingly routine action of covering up a public pigeon feeding area has turned into a full-blown controversy in Mumbai. It has brought to light a complex issue involving religious traditions, public health concerns, and politicians ahead of the city's municipal elections. According to a report by The Economic Times on Thursday, members of the Jain and Gujarati communities allegedly tore down tarpaulin sheets placed over the iconic Dadar Kabutarkhana (pigeon feeding area) by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). This defied a Bombay High Court ban on pigeon feeding in public spaces. Visuals of the incident have since gone viral, sparking political backlash and reigniting the 'native versus outsider' debate in Mumbai, cultural tension centred around who belongs to the city. These forms of debate centre around identity-linked issues like language, employment, and culture, often arising during elections. Pigeon feeding ban On July 30, 2025, the Bombay High Court ruled that feeding pigeons in public areas such as 'kabutarkhanas' (pigeon feeding spots) posed a serious health hazard and amounted to public nuisance. The court directed the BMC to file FIRs against anyone continuing to feed pigeons in defiance of the order. Rising complaints of respiratory illnesses from pigeon droppings. Environmental and sanitation concerns due to large gatherings of birds in densely populated areas. The order followed complaints from residents, health officials, and environmentalists who argued that unchecked pigeon feeding was harming public health and the urban ecosystem. What is a kabutarkhana? Why is it significant in Mumbai? Kabutarkhanas are traditional public pigeon feeding spots. The most famous among them is the Dadar Kabutarkhana, a Grade II heritage structure located at a key intersection near a Jain temple. For many members of the Jain community, feeding pigeons is a religious and moral act — a form of non-violence and compassion towards living beings. It is seen not just as charity, but as a sacred duty. How did this turn into a protest? Following the High Court's order, the BMC began taking enforcement actions: 142 people were fined between July 13 and August 3, including 51 at Dadar Kabutarkhana. On August 3, the BMC covered the Kabutarkhana with tarpaulin sheets to prevent access. Despite this, on August 6 and 7, groups of Jain protestors forcibly tore down the covers and began feeding pigeons, claiming the birds were starving. Police attempted to intervene, leading to scuffles. Visuals of the protest quickly went viral. What the state government says Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis initially supported enforcement but changed course as tensions rose. On August 5, he said 'abrupt closure' of kabutarkhanas was not advisable. Then he called for 'controlled feeding' under civic supervision to protect both public health and animal welfare. Fadnavis also asked the BMC to set up a formal policy regulating pigeon feeding, explore dedicated aviaries, and conduct scientific studies on health impacts and cleaning methods. Political reactions Shiv Sena (part of ruling coalition) Party MLC Manisha Kayande condemned the protest and said pigeon feeding must be addressed scientifically, not emotionally. Kayande said, "When the kite festival kills birds, where are the animal lovers then?" Bharatiya Janata Party Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha called the protest 'unfortunate', but emphasised the CM's balanced approach. He suggested police may act against those who broke the law. Congress Leader Vijay Wadettiwar accused the ruling Sena-BJP-NCP government of flip-flopping and trying to 'appease' minority voters ahead of elections. Maharashtra Navnirman Sena Firmly supports the ban and has called for similar measures in Thane. Why is feeding pigeons harmful? Medical experts and civic leaders point to several risks: Respiratory illnesses are caused by inhaling dust and droppings. For example, pigeon droppings can lead to hypersensitivity pneumonitis Spread of fungal infections and zoonotic diseases Overpopulation of pigeons, reliant on human feeding which disrupts urban ecology Shiv Sena's Manisha Kayande said, 'Pigeons become dependent. Feeding them in public spaces has long-term ecological and health impacts.' What happens next? A report will be submitted to the Bombay High Court. The BMC may file FIRs against those who defied the ban. The bottom line What began as a court-ordered public health measure has escalated into a debate over faith, governance, and electoral strategy. The fate of Mumbai's kabutarkhanas now lies at the intersection of religion, law, and public opinion. [With agency inputs]
Hindustan Times
11 hours ago
- Hindustan Times
Lack of OC at Willingdon View: 27 residents of Tardeo highrise get 3 weeks to vacate illegally occupied flats: HC
MUMBAI: The Bombay High Court on Wednesday granted three weeks' time to 27 families residing on the upper 18 floors of a highrise in Tardeo to vacate their flats, which lack an Occupancy Certificate (OC). The court said that if they fail to comply, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) must evict the residents and seal the premises. Mumbai, India. July 02, 2025: View of Willingdon Heights at Tardeo area in south Mumbai. Mumbai, India. July 02, 2025. (Photo by Raju Shinde/ HT Photo) (Raju Shinde) The direction comes five days after the Supreme Court refused to stay the High Court's earlier eviction order, calling it 'very well considered, bold and lucid'. The apex court also allowed the Willingdon View Co-operative Housing Society, which owns the building, to approach the High Court for more time to vacate. The High Court bench of justice GS Kulkarni and justice Arif Doctor made it clear on Wednesday that the extension was being granted purely on humanitarian grounds and warned that no further leniency would be shown. The petition was originally filed by a resident, Sunil Jhaveri, who flagged illegal construction and structural changes in the 34-storey building. While the lower 16 floors have a partial OC, the top 18 floors were built without one and the entire structure lacks a fire department No Objection Certificate (NOC), making occupation of the upper floors illegal. The building has been partially occupied since 2008. On July 15, the High Court ordered eviction of the upper-floor occupants, prompting the society to approach the Supreme Court. On August 1, the top court upheld the High Court's order, with justices JB Pardiwala and R Mahadevan remarking, 'At the end of the day, the rule of law must prevail.' They also praised the High Court's 'courage and conviction' in dealing with unauthorised constructions. Following this, the housing society returned to the High Court seeking four weeks' time to vacate. Its counsel argued that the families needed time to find alternative accommodation nearby, especially as some children were enrolled in schools in the area. The High Court agreed to extend the deadline by three weeks, but stressed that this was a 'mercy plea' and warned that no further extensions would be granted. 'We permit the residents to occupy the respective flats for a period of three more weeks at their own risk and consequence in the event of any untoward incident,' the court stated. It also directed the society to file an undertaking within two days, and ordered the BMC to take immediate action — including eviction and sealing of the flats — if the occupants failed to vacate within the given timeframe.
