Home / Environment / Mumbai Pigeon Crackdown Falters: Fines Plummet, Enforcement Lags
Mumbai Pigeon Crackdown Falters: Fines Plummet, Enforcement Lags
2 Jun
Summary
- BMC's pigeon feeding penalties dropped significantly since last year.
- Enforcement is inconsistent due to manpower shortages and oversight issues.
- Designated alternative pigeon feeding sites have seen poor visitor numbers.
Enforcement of Mumbai's ban on public pigeon feeding has considerably decreased, with Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) penalties dropping sharply in recent months. Last year, over 300 individuals were penalized, a stark contrast to the 19 cases recorded by April this year. Civic officials suggest heightened public awareness following last year's crackdown is a factor, but acknowledge significant manpower shortages impede consistent oversight.
The city's kabutarkhanas, traditional sites for pigeon feeding, are now largely defunct and covered. While the BMC established four alternative feeding locations last October, these sites have experienced very low footfall. The Bombay High Court had previously mandated stricter monitoring, including CCTV installation and deployment of officials, measures that have not been fully implemented. Discussions are underway to potentially transform the Dadar Kabutarkhana into a green space, reflecting a shift in approach to these controversial public areas.
