Chief Minister’s sensitive initiative to save pigeons
Controlled food supply to pigeons should continue until alternative arrangements are made - Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis

Vipul Vaidya
Mumbai: Saving the lives of pigeons, protecting the environment and protecting the health of citizens are all important. It is not right to suddenly close the pigeon loft, alternative measures should be taken while implementing the decisions taken regarding the pigeon loft. In order to prevent pigeons from going hungry due to restrictions on food supply in the pigeon loft area, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has directed the Municipal Corporation to continue controlled food supply to pigeons until alternative arrangements are made, showing his sensitive Nature once again and taking the initiative to save the lives of pigeons and maintain the health of citizens.
A meeting was held at the Mantralaya under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis regarding the issue of the pigeon loft (kabutakhana). Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar, Forest Minister Ganesh Naik, Water Resources Minister Girish Mahajan, Skill, Employment, Entrepreneurship and Innovation Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha, MLA Kalidas Kolambkar, Brihanmumbai Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani, Additional Chief Secretary of the Forest Department Milind Mhaiskar were present in this meeting.
Chief Minister Fadnavis said that for the healthy maintenance of pigeons and to avoid adverse effects on public health, rules should be made regarding the time at which food should be supplied and at which time it should not be supplied. Due to the large number of pigeons in various places in the city, respiratory problems, pollution due to feces and public hygiene problems arise. However, it is necessary to study the health effects of pigeon coops scientifically in this regard, and for this, a study report should be prepared with the help of relevant experts. Proper management of pigeon droppings is necessary. In this regard, technical solutions available for cleaning the droppings should be considered. He also said that he had discussed this with former Union Minister Maneka Gandhi.
A writ petition is currently being heard in the High Court on issues related to the pigeon house. The state government and the Mumbai Municipal Corporation should present their stand in the High Court on this issue. If necessary, in the context of the ongoing hearing in the court, the state government will also present its stand in the Supreme Court as required. Chief Minister also instructed the Mumbai Municipal Corporation to construct and maintain the bird house.