Pigeons Are A Health Hazard! Maharashtra Orders BMC to Shut Down Mumbai’s Kabootar Khanas
‘Pigeons Pose Health Risks’
The Maharashtra government has directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to immediately close all 51 ‘kabootar khanas’ (pigeon feeding spots) across Mumbai, citing serious health hazards from pigeon droppings and feathers.
The decision, announced during the Maharashtra Legislative Council session on Thursday, follows growing concerns about respiratory illnesses linked to these sites. Shiv Sena leader and MLC Manisha Kayande raised the issue, highlighting that pigeon waste at these feeding spots contributes to diseases like hypersensitivity pneumonitis, which can cause severe lung damage.
BJP leader Chitra Wagh added a personal note, revealing that her aunt succumbed to respiratory complications caused by prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings. Minister Uday Samant, responding on behalf of Deputy Chief Minister and Urban Development Minister Eknath Shinde, emphasized the urgency of the situation. “The BMC will launch an awareness campaign within a month to educate residents about the risks of feeding pigeons,” he said, noting that pigeons at places like Girgaum Chowpatty have been seen eating fast food scraps like pizza and burgers, further exacerbating health concerns.
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Efforts to curb the issue have faced challenges. Samant pointed out that the iconic Dadar kabootar khana was briefly shut for two days, but feeding resumed as residents ignored restrictions. Meanwhile, unauthorized feeding sites in Santacruz East, Daulat Nagar, and Santacruz West have been closed, with the BMC transforming these areas into traffic islands and Miyawaki gardens, according to Shinde’s written response.
The move has sparked debate, with some residents and animal welfare groups defending the cultural and religious significance of feeding pigeons, while others, including medical experts, stress the need to prioritize public health. The BMC’s awareness drive aims to shift public perception, but with pigeon feeding deeply ingrained in Mumbai’s culture, enforcement may face resistance.
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