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Pigeons Left Hungry as Mumbai's New Feeding Grounds Sit Empty
8 Nov
Summary
- BMC allows controlled pigeon feeding at new locations, but no volunteers
- Existing kabutarkhanas remain closed following high court orders
- Activists criticize remote feeding locations, say pigeons can't travel far
As of 2025-11-08T00:17:40+00:00, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has designated several new locations for controlled pigeon feeding in Mumbai, including near the Worli Reservoir, in the mangrove area near Lokhandwala Back Road, along the Airoli-Mulund Link Road, and at Gorai Maidan. The BMC has allowed feeding at these sites between 7am and 9am daily, as an interim arrangement until the expert committee's report and further orders from the high court are received.
However, ward officials and the civic health department have not received a single proposal from any organization seeking to carry out the controlled feeding at these new locations. Meanwhile, the existing kabutarkhanas, which were shut down following high court orders, remain closed.
Activists and trustees of the Kabutarkhana Trust have criticized the BMC's choice of feeding sites, stating that the remote locations lack habitation and will be difficult for volunteers to access. They argue that pigeons are not migratory birds and cannot be expected to travel to these new areas for feeding. The civic body's plan to rely on voluntary organizations to manage the designated feeding grounds has also been questioned, as no groups have come forward so far.
