Maharashtra government has directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to initiate an immediate shutdown of all active ‘kabootar khanas’—pigeon feeding zones—across Mumbai. The directive, issued during the monsoon session of the state legislature, responds to growing concerns about respiratory ailments linked to the unchecked feeding of pigeons in densely populated areas.
The state administration, responding to concerns raised by multiple members in the legislative council, confirmed that 51 such feeding locations have been identified within Mumbai’s civic limits. These sites have come under increasing scrutiny for contributing to poor air quality, promoting unregulated bird populations, and compromising the health of residents, particularly those with respiratory vulnerabilities. According to urban health experts and civic officials, the accumulation of pigeon droppings, feathers, and dust at these locations can trigger a range of respiratory complications, including hypersensitivity pneumonitis, asthma exacerbation, and other allergic reactions. Several documented cases of chronic respiratory illness have emerged from areas with high concentrations of pigeons, prompting both civic bodies and legislators to treat the issue with urgency.
Officials from the state’s urban development department confirmed that instructions have been issued to the BMC to conduct a widespread awareness campaign and begin legal procedures to decommission all such feeding zones in the city. “The civic administration will not only shut these areas down but also replace them with eco-sensitive urban spaces such as green traffic islands or pocket parks,” an official said. In fact, the BMC has already acted upon a few unauthorised sites. Feeding areas in Santacruz East and West, along with Daulat Nagar, have been dismantled and redeveloped into Miyawaki-style mini-forests and landscaped urban features. These redeveloped patches serve as early examples of how public spaces can be repurposed to serve environmental and public health goals simultaneously.
While pigeon feeding has long been a traditional and religiously motivated activity in several parts of Mumbai, city authorities have argued that cultural practices must be aligned with public health imperatives. “Urban traditions evolve, and with rising density and health challenges, we must rethink public behaviour that has unintended ecological and medical consequences,” noted a senior civic official overseeing the awareness initiative. In one of the most densely inhabited cities in the world, pigeon feeding zones have often been located near railway stations, traffic junctions, religious sites, and residential colonies—multiplying the risks of airborne transmission of fungal spores and particulate matter. Environmental scientists have repeatedly flagged the lack of regulation around pigeon feeding as a form of urban pollution that’s under-recognised in policy circles.
Adding to the health risks, municipal observations show that in some areas, pigeon behaviour has changed significantly due to overfeeding. “We have documented cases where pigeons scavenge fast food leftovers including pizza and burgers, particularly around Girgaum Chowpatty,” said a civic environmental health official. This shift, according to animal behaviour experts, may disrupt natural foraging instincts and promote uncontrolled population growth, leading to further ecological imbalance. The administration has acknowledged the need for long-term behavioural change among citizens. “Feeding birds in controlled environments like aviaries or biodiversity parks is different from mass feeding on public streets. We must educate citizens on the difference,” the official added.
However, enforcement remains a challenge. The civic body had earlier shut down the iconic Dadar kabootar khana temporarily, only to see it resume soon after due to continued public feeding. “This is not just about removal. It’s a social shift that requires sustained awareness,” said an urban governance expert, highlighting the fine balance between citizen sentiment and state intervention. As part of the enforcement drive, the BMC is expected to undertake a city-wide survey to identify any remaining unauthorised kabootar khanas and initiate civic beautification or repurposing of such locations. Officials are also considering the imposition of fines and the involvement of local resident welfare associations in maintaining pigeon-free zones.
Public health advocates have welcomed the move. “This is a step in the right direction. Respiratory infections due to pigeon droppings are real, often under-diagnosed, and disproportionately affect children and the elderly. An outright ban, accompanied by community engagement, can make a measurable impact,” said a pulmonologist affiliated with a leading public hospital. On the sustainability front, the policy aligns with broader goals of clean, equitable, and green cities. Transitioning from unhygienic bird feeding zones to urban green spaces supports the principles of ecological health and climate resilience that are core to zero-carbon city planning.
Despite the strong case for closure, city officials acknowledge that enforcement may face resistance from sections of the public. As such, awareness-building remains central to the policy’s success. Street campaigns, collaborations with religious institutions, and engagement with civic groups are being prepared to reduce misinformation and ease the transition. With immediate actions underway and regulatory clarity now in place, Mumbai’s civic administrators appear determined to prioritise public health over passive urban traditions. As the city evolves, such measures may become a blueprint for other high-density cities grappling with similar ecological and health challenges.
For Mumbai, shutting down kabootar khanas is more than just a policy move—it signals a shift towards healthier, more conscious urban living that balances heritage with hygiene and tradition with transformation.
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