A public interest litigation has been filed in the Delhi High Court seeking a ban on feeding pigeons at unauthorised public places, with the petition citing respiratory health risks linked to accumulated droppings and feathers. The petition asks the Delhi government, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi, the New Delhi Municipal Council, Delhi Police and other concerned agencies to act against the practice and protect public health.
Filed by advocate Vaibhav Kumar through advocate Rajesh Kumar, the petition claims that pigeon flocks leave droppings and feathers on roads and other public spaces where birds are regularly fed. Once the material dries, it can break into fine particles and become airborne, allowing people to inhale it, according to the petition.
The petition identifies children, older people and those living with lung diseases as groups that may face greater risks from exposure. It seeks a prohibition on feeding pigeons at unauthorised locations, regular cleaning of affected sites and effective enforcement action by the relevant authorities.
The plea refers to a pilot study published in January 2025 in Lung India by researchers associated with Vallabhbhai Patel Chest Institute and the Department of Pulmonary Medicine at the University of Delhi. According to the petition, the study examined dust samples collected from the homes of 18 patients suffering from hypersensitivity pneumonitis, a lung condition associated with an exaggerated immune response to inhaled particles.
The petition states that pigeon-dropping protein was detected in dust samples from all 18 homes. Feather protein was reportedly found in approximately half of the samples. It further cites the study’s finding that severe cases of hypersensitivity pneumonitis can cause permanent damage to lung tissue.
The filing places the issue within the responsibilities of multiple city agencies. While the MCD and NDMC have roles connected with cleaning and managing public spaces in their respective jurisdictions, the petition also names the Delhi government, Delhi Police and other agencies as respondents. The exact enforcement mechanism and the locations that could be covered would depend on the court’s proceedings and any directions issued to the authorities.
The case also raises a broader municipal challenge: how public feeding practices are managed when they contribute to sanitation and airborne exposure concerns in crowded urban areas. The petition does not represent a court-ordered ban. It is a request for judicial intervention and administrative action, and the measures sought will depend on the High Court’s consideration of the matter.
The petition’s immediate demands are a ban on feeding pigeons at unauthorised public locations, routine cleaning of affected sites and action by the concerned agencies to address the claimed health risks.
