Mumbai: On Friday, the city’s civic council said that it has approved the “controlled feeding” of pigeons for two hours in the morning at four additional places throughout the city. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation stated in a press release that this is a stopgap solution until an expert committee’s report and more High Court rulings are obtained. “Pigeon feeding will be allowed 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 press release stated.
It stated that pigeon feeding would only be permitted at certain locations from 7 to 9 a.m. According to the local body, approval for controlled feeding at the recently identified areas will only be granted if voluntary organisations volunteer to oversee its management. “The organisation will have to handle citizen complaints, maintain cleanliness, prevent obstructions to vehicle or pedestrian traffic, and carry out an undertaking to adhere to all requirements. Signage will be put up to raise awareness of health issues, and assistant municipal commissioners of the corresponding wards will serve as nodal officials’, the announcement stated.
Existing “kabutarkhanas,” or pigeon-feeding locations, that were shuttered in accordance with the Bombay High Court’s orders will stay closed and not be allowed to reopen, the BMC explained. In order to discourage people from feeding pigeons, these locations were closed in August. Some, like the one in Dadar, were even covered with plastic sheets. The municipal organisation added that it has already received 9,779 citizen complaints, recommendations, and objections against pigeon feeding in Mumbai. It covers topics like the necessity of controlled feeding, hygiene, and the closure or continuance of pigeon feeding areas.
