Mumbai’s long-running debate over pigeon feeding took another turn on Monday as civic workers, backed by police presence, reinstated the protective cover over the iconic Dadar Kabutarkhana. The action came just days after a large mob had torn down the tarpaulin sheet, escalating tensions in the locality.
In the early hours, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) teams arrived to patch up and replace the cover, while city police and riot control units maintained a watchful presence at the busy junction. The intervention followed directions from the Bombay High Court, which recently permitted the civic body to use nets or similar barriers to curb excessive pigeon congregation, citing concerns for public health and urban hygiene. According to court instructions, the measures are meant to encourage pigeons to survive in their natural environment, as with other urban bird species, and reduce concentrated feeding spots that contribute to waste accumulation and air quality hazards. The order also mandates police protection for civic staff while implementing such directives.
The timing of the BMC’s action was critical, coinciding with rising community mobilisation around the issue. Members of the Jain community had planned a public Maha Aarti as part of their appeal to preserve pigeon feeding traditions, while residents’ groups had scheduled a protest against what they described as “selective action” by the authorities. The latter claimed that enforcement against continued feeding at the Kabutarkhana had been inconsistent. Officials confirmed that multiple First Information Reports (FIRs) have been filed related to similar incidents across the city. Since early July, the BMC has collected over ₹1.56 lakh in fines for violations of civic regulations on pigeon feeding, with Dadar West and Goregaon emerging as hotspots for such penalties in August.
The restored cover at Dadar is part of a wider civic strategy to address the health and environmental risks posed by pigeon overpopulation. Experts have long cautioned that concentrated feeding sites not only attract large flocks but also contribute to the spread of allergens and airborne pathogens, affecting residents in densely populated urban areas. However, the issue remains deeply emotive, with strong cultural and religious sentiments tied to pigeon feeding in Mumbai. Local leaders from community trusts have expressed frustration over what they perceive as a lack of transparent communication from civic authorities during legal proceedings, urging balanced enforcement that respects tradition while safeguarding public health.
With the next High Court hearing scheduled in mid-August, the future of the Dadar Kabutarkhana — and similar sites across the city — hinges on how Mumbai reconciles heritage practices with the imperatives of a sustainable, equitable, and health-conscious urban environment.
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