Mumbai authorities are considering setting up designated pigeon feeding facilities inside Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). The proposal, currently under discussion, seeks to provide safe, regulated zones for bird feeding, while reducing the negative impact of uncontrolled feeding in residential and public areas.
Officials from the state’s forest department and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) have indicated that the initiative is part of a broader wildlife management strategy to address rising pigeon populations in urban neighbourhoods. Experts say excessive and unregulated feeding has been linked to health risks, including respiratory issues such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis, as well as ecological imbalances that affect other bird species.
Under the proposed plan, SGNP would host multiple pigeon feeding centres equipped with perches, feeding troughs, and proper waste management systems. These facilities would be located in specific park zones to prevent overcrowding and ensure that park ecosystems remain undisturbed. Visitors and local residents would be encouraged to feed pigeons only in these designated areas, with awareness campaigns highlighting the health and environmental benefits of controlled feeding.
Wildlife experts have welcomed the move, noting that it could serve as a model for other urban parks across India. By centralising feeding activity in SGNP, authorities hope to reduce human-pigeon conflict in high-density areas of Mumbai, improve sanitation, and protect both public health and the city’s biodiversity.
The proposal is expected to undergo public consultation before final implementation, with feedback from environmentalists, local communities, and health professionals shaping the final policy.
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