Mumbai: Dadar Kabootar Khana Wrapped In Tarpaulin As BMC Acts On Pigeon Feeding Ban

Mumbai: Visitors to Dadar’s iconic Kabutarkhana on Sunday found the nearly 100-year-old pigeon feeding zone shut and wrapped in grey tarpaulin sheets. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has closed the grade-II heritage site citing public health risks associated with pigeon feeding.

Warning Issued at Site

A notice displayed at the Kabutarkhana reads, “All citizens are hereby informed that it is strictly prohibited to offer and feed food items to birds and animals at this site. Feeding food to birds at places of public gathering like these can trigger fungal infection and respiratory diseases.” It also warns that violators will be fined ₹500.

#WATCH | #Mumbai: Dadar Kabutarkhana Covered With Tarpaulin As BMC Enforces Pigeon Feeding Ban

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BMC Acts After HC Order

The civic action follows a Bombay High Court order dated July 30, directing the BMC to register FIRs against those “illegally” and “defiantly” feeding pigeons at Dadar West and other locations, despite a standing policy that bans the practice.

The court observed, “Despite clear directives which are sought to be implemented very rigorously, and court refusing to grant any stay on such directives of the BMC, it appears to be rampant that the feeding of pigeons at these prohibited places has continued unabated.”

Mumbai: BMC To Take Action Against People Feeding Pigeons On Footpaths & Roads; Penalty Of Up To ₹500 Announced

Historic Site, Legal Dispute

Among Mumbai’s 51 designated kabutarkhanas, the Dadar site is one of the most prominent. Built in 1933, it is managed by the Dadar Kabutarkhana Trust. The Trust, along with animal rights activists, had filed a writ petition challenging the BMC’s enforcement.

However, the court, stressing on the health impact of pigeon feeding, directed that individuals violating the order should be identified through photographs and arrested if necessary. The HC also noted the public inconvenience caused by bird droppings, stating that pedestrians often have to cover their faces due to unhygienic conditions.

Civic Crackdown Underway

Acting on the HC’s directions, the BMC began enforcement on Saturday evening, installing bamboo poles and tarpaulin sheets to block access to the feeding area.

Earlier, on July 3, the Maharashtra government had instructed the BMC to immediately shut down all pigeon feeding locations. The civic body then launched a drive penalising offenders.

Under the 2006 civic cleanliness and sanitation bylaws, framed under Section 461(ee) of the Mumbai Municipal Corporation Act, 1888, the BMC is authorised to impose a ₹500 fine on those feeding birds or animals in non-designated spaces.

Health Risks Back Ban

While some animal welfare groups have criticised the move, the BMC’s decision has received support from many due to the public health hazards linked to pigeon feeding.

Health experts warn that pigeon droppings, feathers, and nesting material can carry bacteria, viruses, and fungi, potentially causing serious respiratory illnesses. In high-density areas like Dadar, the risks are heightened. Moreover, the droppings have led to widespread complaints about filth and high cleaning costs among residents and business owners.