More than 500 Mumbai-based animal welfare activists and bird-loving citizens are preparing for a peaceful protest at Santacruz’s Daulat Nagar kabutar khana on Sunday, where they plan to collectively feed pigeons in defiance of a recent civic authority ban. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has shut down public pigeon-feeding zones citywide, citing municipal orders to remove encroachments and impose fines—a move that has sparked backlash from local communities.
According to BMC officials, the shutdown of feeding points follows state government directives aimed at regulating noise, hygiene, and public space usage. Initial actions included dismantling structures at Dadar kabutar khana and issuing fines to feeders. Animal welfare advocates argue these measures are abrupt, lacking scientific justification, and infringe on cultural traditions. A spokesperson from Pure Animal Lovers (PAL) Foundation described the planned ‘feeding protest’ as a “silent march” intended to highlight the legal and ethical concerns surrounding the crackdown. “Without a proper scientific basis, these bans are both unlawful and harmful to wildlife,” the official emphasised. PAL estimates approximately 500 participants, including significant representation from the Jain community, reflecting the joint values of compassion and respect for all living beings.
Residents of Santacruz voiced a shared sense of loss as familiar pigeon-flocking sites fall silent. One local resident remarked that the feeding zones not only sustains urban birdlife but also fosters community interaction and environmental learning among families. Another expressed concern over the impact on pigeons’ well-being now deprived of regular food sources. Legal experts interviewed observed that Mumbai citizens have historically accepted court judgments—from matters like Babri Masjid to environmental regulations—when properly contextualised. They suggest that the current protest underscores the need for transparent public dialogue before enforcing sweeping bans. “Any shift in long-standing civic practices should weigh community rights, religious beliefs and ecological significance,” stated a municipal law specialist.
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Urban sustainability analysts note that wildlife-friendly urban planning should integrate heritage, culture, and biodiversity—especially in megacities like Mumbai. Pigeon feeding, when managed responsibly, poses minimal ecological threat and aligns with the city’s commitment to inclusive green spaces. A balanced approach, they argue, would preserve species like the rock dove while maintaining hygienic public areas. The protest is scheduled from 3 p.m. to 5 p.m., during which volunteers will quietly disperse grains, wearing green badges to symbolise harmony between citizens, wildlife and governance. While the action challenges municipal exclusions, it remains peaceful and respectful of civic order—a stance that activists believe advances dialogue, not discord.
As Mumbai navigates evolving urban norms—from noise limits to habitat conservation—this protest prompts wider reflection on who shapes a city’s cultural ecology. Whether feeding pigeons remains a communal act or is reclassified as an illegal one, the debate continues to illuminate the tension between policy oversight and societal tradition.
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