BMC Proposes Two-Hour Pigeon Feeding Window at Dadar Kabutarkhana

Mumbai : The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has informed the Bombay High Court of its intention to permit controlled pigeon feeding at Dadar’s Kabutarkhana for two hours each morning, from 6 am to 8 am. This proposal follows a court directive to address public health concerns linked to unrestricted pigeon feeding, which has been deemed a public nuisance. The BMC’s plan, however, is contingent on public feedback and requires the civic body to invite objections before implementation, as mandated by the court.

The Dadar Kabutarkhana, a Grade II heritage structure established in 1933, has long been a focal point for pigeon feeding, particularly among Mumbai’s Jain community, for whom the practice holds cultural and spiritual significance. However, the Bombay High Court’s July 31 ruling highlighted health risks associated with pigeon droppings, including respiratory illnesses like histoplasmosis and psittacosis. The court ordered the BMC to enforce a ban on feeding pigeons in public spaces and to file FIRs against violators under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita.

In response, the BMC sealed the Dadar Kabutarkhana on August 2, covering it with tarpaulin and cutting its electricity supply. The civic body also fined 142 individuals across Mumbai, collecting Rs 68,700 for illegal feeding between July 13 and August 3, with 51 violations recorded at Dadar alone. These actions sparked protests, notably on August 6, when members of the Jain community forcibly removed the tarpaulin to feed pigeons, prompting police intervention and an FIR.

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has advocated for a balanced approach, urging the BMC to allow regulated feeding to prevent pigeon starvation while addressing health concerns. The BMC’s proposal for a two-hour feeding window aims to align with Fadnavis’ directive, though the court emphasized that no changes can proceed without public consultation. The BMC is also exploring long-term solutions, such as designated feeding zones and aviaries, to balance cultural practices with public safety.

The Bombay High Court, led by Justices GS Kulkarni and Arif Doctor, clarified that it has not ordered the closure of Kabutarkhanas but seeks to regulate feeding to mitigate health risks. The next hearing, scheduled for August 28, will review public objections and the BMC’s proposed conditions for controlled feeding.