Mumbai Civic Body Implements Two-Hour Controlled Pigeon Feeding at Four Designated Locations

Pigeon feeding will be permitted exclusively between 7 am and 9 am at the four designated locations, according to the Mumbai civic body.

Mumbai:

The Mumbai civic authority announced on Friday that it has authorized "controlled feeding" of pigeons at four newly designated locations across the city, restricting the activity to a two-hour window in the morning.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) stated in a release that this measure is temporary, pending recommendations from an expert committee and further directives from the High Courts.

"Pigeon feeding will be permitted at Worli Reservoir in G South ward, a mangrove area near Lokhandwala Back Road close to Vesave STP project in Andheri West (K West ward), an area near the creek at the old Airoli-Mulund check post along the Airoli-Mulund Link Road in Mulund East (T ward), and at Gorai Maidan in Borivali West (R Central ward)," the official statement detailed.

The civic body specified that feeding at these locations will be restricted to between 7 am and 9 am only.

The BMC further stipulated that controlled feeding at these newly identified sites would only be authorized if voluntary organizations step forward to assume management responsibility.

"The organization will need to ensure cleanliness, prevent obstruction to pedestrian or vehicular movement, handle citizen complaints, and provide an undertaking to comply with all conditions. Assistant municipal commissioners of respective wards will serve as nodal officers, and signage will be installed to raise awareness about health concerns," the release elaborated.

The BMC clarified that existing 'kabutarkhanas' or pigeon-feeding spots that were closed following Bombay High Court orders will remain shut and have not received permission to resume operations. These locations were closed in August, with some, such as the one in Dadar, being covered with plastic sheets to discourage people from feeding pigeons.

The civic body also reported receiving 9,779 objections, suggestions, and complaints from citizens regarding pigeon feeding in Mumbai.

These concerns address various issues including the closure or continuation of pigeon feeding spots, sanitation concerns, and the necessity for controlled feeding practices.