BMC cracks down on pigeon feeding, covers Dadar Kabutarkhana in tarpaulin sheets
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) informed that they have shut the grade-II heritage structure amid concerns of health hazards over pigeon feeding.
'All citizens are hereby informed that it is strictly prohibited to offer and feed food items to birds and animals at this site. Feeding food to birds at places of public gathering like these can trigger fungal infection and respiratory diseases,' says a board at the Dadar Kabutarkhana. The notice also warns of a Rs 500 fine against those found feeding pigeons at the site.
The stringent BMC measures come on the heels of the Bombay High Court order issued on July 30, directing the civic body to lodge FIRs against persons 'illegally' and in a 'defiant' manner feeding pigeons at Dadar West, among other feeding areas in Mumbai, despite the policy prohibiting the feeding.
'Despite clear directives which are sought to be implemented very rigorously, and court refusing to grant any stay on such directives of the BMC, it appears to be rampant that the feeding of pigeons at these prohibited places has continued unabated,' the high court observed on July 30.
According to records, the city is home to at least 51 kabutarkhanas, with the Dadar feeding ground being among the most iconic spots. Built in 1933, the site is managed by the Dadar Kabutarkhana Trust –whose trustees, along with animal rights activists, had filed writ petitions in the HC against the BMC's drive.
Pointing to the illegal feeding of pigeons, the HC – while hearing the writ petition – said that the issue was paramount to public health. Noting the inconvenience caused by bird droppings, passersby who have to hold handkerchiefs, among others, the HC directed that the errant persons should be traced through photographs and then be arrested in case of violations.
In light of the HC directives, the civic body on Saturday evening commenced its drive to install bamboo poles and lay out plastic sheets over the Dadar feeding ground to enforce the ban. On July 3, the state government had directed the BMC to immediately shut down all pigeon feeding grounds, following which the BMC had launched a crackdown by imposing penalties against those illegally feeding the birds.
For the record, the BMC is entitled to levy a fine of Rs 500 upon anyone who is found feeding animals/birds in non-designated areas, under the civic cleanliness and sanitation bylaws of 2006, framed under Section 461(ee) of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888.
While some animal welfare groups and trusts have opposed the drive, the move has been welcomed across quarters over the health hazards posed by pigeons. Experts have pointed out that pigeon droppings, feathers, and nesting material carry harmful pathogens, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi that can cause severe respiratory and systemic illnesses, particularly in busy areas like Dadar's feeding grounds that host bustling populations of pigeons. Besides concerns over pulmonary diseases, pigeon feeding and subsequent bird droppings have left citizens grappling with dirty and unhygienic premises, pushing them to incur huge costs in cleaning and maintaining their premises.
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