BMC covers up Dadar Kabutarkhana, cites Bombay high court order
This action was taken after a brief suspension on Friday when locals requested time to relocate sick pigeons at the site. "Several people who visited the Kabutarkhana on Sunday morning to feed pigeons were disappointed to find the place covered with sheets," said Sandeep Doshi, a trustee of the Kabutarkhana Trust.
BMC said the move was in compliance with Bombay high court directions to prevent air pollution caused due to pigeon droppings.
However, with a section of residents unhappy about the restrictions, Mumbai Suburban guardian minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha wrote to BMC commissioner Bhushan Gagrani urging him to find an amicable solution, considering the feelings of animal lovers and respecting the court's directives.
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"BMC should provide alternative places to feed the pigeons. There are open spaces in Bandra-Kurla Complex, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, and Aarey Colony where alternative feeding grounds can be created.
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The BMC commissioner should look into this and provide a solution," Lodha said.
On July 30, HC directed registration of FIRs against those who continue to feed pigeons at kabutarkhanas in the city — all 51 of them have been ordered shut. It said the FIR should invoke the BNS section 271 pertaining to negligent acts likely to spread infection of disease dangerous to life, which attracts up to six months' jail. HC also permitted BMC to cordon off or cover kabutarkhanas to stop the congregation of pigeons.
Doshi said G-North ward workers came around 7pm on Saturday and covered the entire Kabutarkhana structure with a tarpaulin sheet by around 11pm.
On Friday, citizens had opposed the civic workers' attempts to cover the structure, as there were many infirm, old, and diseased pigeons, and they were being abandoned on the road.
"We took 2,000-2,500 of these pigeons, put them in carton boxes, and sent them to hospitals and other kabutarkhanas, treating them before releasing them.
We have now posted five boys to drive away pigeons converging on the roads to avoid them being run over by vehicles," Doshi said. "The pigeons are on the roads, as there is no water or food. The civic body has cut water supply to the Kabutarkhana. Now we will present our stance in the court.
"
After the state govt on July 4 said it would instruct BMC to immediately shut all 51 kabutarkhanas in the city, the G-North ward carried out the action at Dadar and seized about 25 sacks of feed for pigeons stacked up within the premises.
They also removed the fencing and a temporary shed used for storage of feeding material. Civic staffers cleaned the whole premises and surroundings of the Dadar Kabutarkhana.
The issue of kabutarkhanas, especially at the traffic island in Dadar (W), was raised in the legislative council by Shiv Sena's Manisha Kayande, who said kabutarkhanas were causing respiratory ailments. She demanded medical tests for residents to assess the ill-effects on them and sought to know what action govt will take considering the health hazards involved.
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