In mixed reactions, some citizens cite health concerns, others question BMC move

Indian Express

2 days ago

For years, Zarina Shaikh's morning routine involved feeding pigeons at Matunga's Kabutarkhana. 'However, I developed a chronic cough that persisted. Doctors diagnosed it as hypersensitivity pneumonitis caused by pigeon droppings. I had to relocate my bedroom to the back of my apartment just to breathe more easily,' said Zarina Shaikh, a resident of King's Circle in her forties.
Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's (BMC) crackdown on unrestricted pigeon feeding at traditional Kabutarkhanas has drawn an array of reactions across the city. While some like Shaikh welcomed the move amid health concerns, it has also drawn flak across quarters with opposition to the BMC's move culminating into a forced opening of a shut Kabutarkhana in Dadar on Wednesday.
Even as it has been a long tradition in the city, open feeding now faces scrutiny for its possible link to rising respiratory ailments in the city, with this even being cited by the High Court in its order.
'My husband had this dry cough for almost five months now. The doctor at Wadia Hospital said the air around our home might be making it worse. Every evening, pigeons take over the whole area, they sit on wires, railings, even our window grills. We can't open our windows after 5pm, the smell, the constant noise, and that fine dust from their droppings just hangs in the air and gets into everything,' said Shabana Mulla, who resides near Grant Road's Kabutarkhana.
Among the several people who supported the civic body's move was Nandu Kamble, a vegetable vendor who has been residing near Khar's Kabutarkhana since his childhood. 'I've been here in Khar since my childhood, and I've grown with people feeding pigeons. Recently BMC stopped people from feeding pigeons. The main problem is the health issues. I have seen at least four cases of my acquaintances afflicted with breathing trouble, and even I had trouble with my health. However, the BMC should also take into account the cultural significance of these sites before shutting them immediately.'
At the edge of Khar's busy streets, Chandramani, who owns a mobile repair shop pointed to the civic body's closure of the Khar Kabutarkhana two years ago. 'Despite the BMC closing the feeding site, people were still feeding pigeons. A lot of people were suffering from asthma because of this and I think it's the right decision by the BMC.'
However, for citizens like Babu Virchand Shah, the ban comes as an attack on Mumbai's character. 'We've been feeding birds here since my father's time. Why ban it all of a sudden? Pigeons are part of Mumbai's soul. If people can burn crackers on Diwali and drive diesel cars, why target us?' Said Shah, who lives near the Grant Road Kabutarkhana.
'Feeding pigeons is a religious obligation for many. It provides comfort to seniors who gather here every morning. The new restrictions are disappointing. Rather than enforcing an outright ban, the BMC should have established designated feeding spots with regular cleanup,' said Sameer Mehta, a retired postman who lives near Matunga Kabutarkhana.
At Dadar Kabutarkhana where tensions flared on Wednesday morning, residents and local shopkeepers expressed anger against the civic move, calling for the immediate opening of feeding spots.
'Earlier we would see so many birds around us and yet we never heard of such health ailments. Now, even though their populations have decreased, they are shutting down their home citing health hazard. We have never heard of anyone being impacted because of the pigeons. We are confident that they will soon open the Kabutarkhana as everyone supports the cause,' a vendor running a mobile accessory shop opposite Dadar Kabutarkhana told The Express on Wednesday.
'The fact that pigeons impact health is a myth. We should serve the pigeons, animals and humanity with love. It is only because of their blessings that Mumbai is still thriving. If we stop feeding them then the ailments will multiply,' added a member of the Jain community in Dadar.