Mumbai court seeks public views on pigeon feeding rules
Mumbai’s longstanding debate over pigeon feeding reached a critical juncture on Wednesday, as the Bombay High Court instructed the city’s civic body to gather public suggestions before deciding on a proposal for regulated feeding hours. The court stressed that any move must balance public health concerns with the cultural and religious sentiments tied to the practice.
The court was hearing petitions from animal welfare advocates and religious trusts that opposed recent crackdowns on feeding grounds, particularly the closure of kabutarkhanas. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) had earlier proposed allowing controlled feeding for two hours daily at specific sites, but the bench cautioned that such a decision must be rooted in a transparent process involving citizen input.
According to civic officials, the restrictions were initially imposed after medical studies linked exposure to pigeons with severe respiratory conditions, including hypersensitivity pneumonitis and irreversible lung fibrosis. Experts have warned that these illnesses often go undetected until they cause long-term damage, underscoring the need for preventive measures. In previous hearings, lung specialists had submitted findings highlighting the vulnerability of children and senior citizens to such ailments. The court emphasised that any decision should uphold the integrity of earlier public health measures, which were based on scientific evidence. It underscored that while certain groups may wish to continue feeding pigeons, the state and municipal authorities have a duty to safeguard citizens’ health as a matter of priority.
The state government has announced plans to form a committee of health experts, town planners, and microbiologists to examine the environmental and health impacts of pigeon feeding. This panel is expected to deliver its findings by August 20. Officials stressed that expert assessments would carry significant weight in determining whether feeding zones remain closed or reopen under regulated conditions. The controversy has gained traction due to the cultural and religious significance of pigeon feeding for some communities in Mumbai. Tensions escalated earlier this month when hundreds of residents removed coverings installed by the civic body at the Dadar Kabutarkhana, protesting against what they viewed as an infringement on religious practices.
Legal experts following the case note that the outcome could set a precedent for reconciling public health policies with cultural rights in urban India. The challenge lies in implementing scientifically backed safeguards without alienating sections of the public who view such practices as integral to their identity. For now, the court’s directive ensures that citizens will have a formal say in shaping the city’s pigeon feeding regulations, potentially creating a framework that reflects both the city’s health priorities and its cultural fabric. The coming weeks are likely to see intense public participation as the civic body begins its consultation process.
