Bombay High Court Upholds BMC’s Pigeon Feeding Ban Amid Protests

Mumbai — The Bombay High Court has reaffirmed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) prohibition on feeding pigeons at public sites, including the iconic Dadar kabutarkhana, citing public health concerns. The decision follows a contentious protest on Wednesday, where demonstrators tore open tarpaulin coverings placed by the BMC to block access to the Dadar pigeon feeding site and dumped sacks of grain inside, defying the court’s orders.

A senior BMC official, as reported by mid-day, confirmed that the civic body is enforcing fines of Rs 500 on violators, in line with the court’s directives. On July 30, a division bench of Justices Girish S Kulkarni and Arif S Doctor ordered the BMC to file FIRs against individuals illegally feeding pigeons at kabutarkhanas across Mumbai, including Dadar. The court emphasized that such actions constitute a public nuisance and pose health risks, particularly due to pigeon droppings linked to respiratory issues. However, the court maintained its interim order preventing the demolition of the Dadar kabutarkhana, pending further evaluation of its heritage status.

The BMC is awaiting the next court hearing on Thursday to determine its response to the protesters’ actions. Meanwhile, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has stirred debate by directing the BMC to allow controlled pigeon feeding until a comprehensive plan is developed. This statement has drawn criticism from Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray, who, via social media, accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of manipulating Jain community sentiments for political gain ahead of civic elections. Thackeray highlighted the contradictory actions of BJP leaders, noting that a BJP MLC had previously advocated for closing kabutarkhanas, while a BJP minister, Mangal Prabhat Lodha, opposed the ban.

The court has also instructed the BMC to cover kabutarkhanas with nets to prevent pigeon congregations while allowing the birds to survive naturally. Local police have been directed to protect BMC officers enforcing the ban. The ongoing legal battle, driven by a writ petition from animal rights activists and the Dadar Kabutarkhana Trust, continues to highlight the tension between public health and cultural practices in Mumbai.