BMC Designates Controlled Pigeon Feeding Spots in Mumbai

In a move to address the issue of pigeon feeding in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has announced the designation of 4 specific locations where controlled feeding of pigeons will be permitted. This decision comes three days after a delegation from the Jain community met with Mumbai's municipal commissioner and state-appointed administrator, Bhushan Gagrani, requesting the establishment of alternative pigeon feeding spots.

The 4 locations designated by the BMC for pigeon feeding are the Mangrove zone in the western section of Worli reservoir, the Lokhandwala backroad where a new sewage treatment plant is being constructed, the creek area near the old Airoli-Mulund Zakat naka, and Gorai Maidan in Borivali (west). Civic officials have stated that these areas were selected due to the minimal human presence, ensuring that pigeon feeding does not pose a risk to human lives.

The BMC has maintained that pigeon feeding will only be allowed between 7 am and 9 am daily, and only grains will be permitted as food. Feeders will not be allowed to provide any other food items, and pigeon feeding outside the specified time zone will not be permitted. The BMC has also invited private NGOs working in animal feeding to come forward and assist in maintaining the feeding operations, ensuring that vehicle and pedestrian movement are not affected.

Meanwhile, the existing pigeon feeding spots, such as the iconic Dadar Kabutarkhana, will continue to remain shut as per the orders of the Bombay High Court, which had earlier directed the BMC to curb "illegal" and "defiant" feeding of pigeons in public areas due to health concerns.