Mysuru: MGP seeks ban on feeding of pigeons on Kukkarahalli lake premises

'While it is a noble activity to feed the birds, it also affects the environment as by being ‘kind’ to pigeons, they lose their natural instinct of feeding themselves and depend upon mankind', Mysore Grahakara Parishat said.

Even as a section of animal rights activists have decried the University of Mysore (UoM) ban on feeding of stray dogs, on the premises of its Kukkarahalli Lake in Mysuru, Mysore Grahakara Parishat (MGP) has urged the UoM to ban the feeding of pigeons too, on the lake premises.

In a letter addressed to the Registrar of UoM, MGP working president S Shobana and founding working president Bhamy V Shenoy, have stated, “Recently, we, as a society, have started to appreciate the harmful impact of pigeon feeding. While it is a noble activity to feed the birds, for a section of the society, it has dreadful impacts on some people, as well as on the pigeons themselves. When we affect the environment, by being ‘kind’ to pigeons, they lose their natural instinct of feeding themselves and depend upon mankind. This will only harm them in the long run, as we have learnt when man interferes with the nature. Thus, the university should take steps to stop the feeding of birds on Kukkarhalli Lake premises”.

They pointed out, “When some of us took steps to stop the feeding pigeons in the most prominent place around the Mysuru Palace, regular pigeon feeders moved to Kukkarhalli Lake, to our surprise and sorrow. We urge you to take steps to stop such illegal activities. Courts have banned the feeding of pigeons. Constitutionally also, we have a responsibility to protect the environment,” the MGP letter reads.