<p>Mumbai: Pigeon feeding in kabutarkhanas and other places in Mumbai seems to be becoming a major political issue. </p><p>The BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched a crackdown of sorts and has covered the Dadar kabutarkhana with plastic sheets. </p><p>The Bombay High Court directed the BMC to take strict action against citizens who continue to feed pigeons despite the ban - after which the Maharashtra government has asked the BMC to implement the order.</p><p>Uncontrolled pigeon feeding, often referred to as ‘mercy feeding’, has led to a significant increase in pigeon population in urban areas.</p><p>While feeding is seen as an act of kindness, it has unintended consequences, including disruption of local biodiversity and public health risks. </p><p>Pigeons are known carriers of airborne diseases, and their droppings contribute to the deterioration of buildings and public spaces. This growing issue calls for better awareness and responsible urban wildlife management.</p><p>However, after the BMC action, Minister of Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Mangal Prabhat Lodha has shot off an open letter to BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani asking him to look at alternative measures.</p>.<p>“In the interim, can designated open spaces such as Bandra Kurla Complex, Racecourse, Aarey Colony, or Sanjay Gandhi National Park be identified as temporary zones for safe and supervised pigeon feeding? I am confident that BMC, as a responsible civic body, will strive to find a balanced and humane solution — one that ensures public health and safety while also safeguarding the lives and wellbeing of birds,” Lodha said in the letter posted on X.</p><p>“It is understood that the Court has taken note of certain health-related concerns associated with pigeon feeding, and indeed, there have been reports of human health being adversely impacted in specific instances. However, following the decision to restrict pigeon feeding, there have also been numerous instances of pigeons suffering from starvation. This has resulted in pigeons dying on the roads, thereby creating another public health hazard and raising further concerns from animal welfare groups and citizens alike,” the minister said. </p><p>“Is pigeon feeding the sole cause of the related health issues, or is environmental pollution a larger contributing factor? Was it appropriate for the BMC to abruptly halt a long-standing cultural and religious practice of animal feeding, without initiating dialogue with concerned stakeholders to explore viable alternatives? Are there any alternative arrangements being planned for regulated pigeon feeding, or will the restrictions remain absolute?” he asked.</p>
<p>Mumbai: Pigeon feeding in kabutarkhanas and other places in Mumbai seems to be becoming a major political issue. </p><p>The BrihanMumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has launched a crackdown of sorts and has covered the Dadar kabutarkhana with plastic sheets. </p><p>The Bombay High Court directed the BMC to take strict action against citizens who continue to feed pigeons despite the ban - after which the Maharashtra government has asked the BMC to implement the order.</p><p>Uncontrolled pigeon feeding, often referred to as ‘mercy feeding’, has led to a significant increase in pigeon population in urban areas.</p><p>While feeding is seen as an act of kindness, it has unintended consequences, including disruption of local biodiversity and public health risks. </p><p>Pigeons are known carriers of airborne diseases, and their droppings contribute to the deterioration of buildings and public spaces. This growing issue calls for better awareness and responsible urban wildlife management.</p><p>However, after the BMC action, Minister of Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Mangal Prabhat Lodha has shot off an open letter to BMC Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani asking him to look at alternative measures.</p>.<p>“In the interim, can designated open spaces such as Bandra Kurla Complex, Racecourse, Aarey Colony, or Sanjay Gandhi National Park be identified as temporary zones for safe and supervised pigeon feeding? I am confident that BMC, as a responsible civic body, will strive to find a balanced and humane solution — one that ensures public health and safety while also safeguarding the lives and wellbeing of birds,” Lodha said in the letter posted on X.</p><p>“It is understood that the Court has taken note of certain health-related concerns associated with pigeon feeding, and indeed, there have been reports of human health being adversely impacted in specific instances. However, following the decision to restrict pigeon feeding, there have also been numerous instances of pigeons suffering from starvation. This has resulted in pigeons dying on the roads, thereby creating another public health hazard and raising further concerns from animal welfare groups and citizens alike,” the minister said. </p><p>“Is pigeon feeding the sole cause of the related health issues, or is environmental pollution a larger contributing factor? Was it appropriate for the BMC to abruptly halt a long-standing cultural and religious practice of animal feeding, without initiating dialogue with concerned stakeholders to explore viable alternatives? Are there any alternative arrangements being planned for regulated pigeon feeding, or will the restrictions remain absolute?” he asked.</p>