The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) recently took a strong step by banning the feeding of pigeons in public spaces across Mumbai. This decision has sparked protests from the Jain community, who view feeding pigeons as a sacred and ethical duty deeply rooted in their cultural practices. Despite these protests, the BMC has moved forward, enforcing the ban on over 50 pigeon feeding spots, including popular heritage sites such as the Dadar Kabutarkhana. The ban comes after directions from the Bombay High Court and has been upheld by the Supreme Court. The civic body is imposing fines and registering cases against those who continue to feed pigeons, striving to address the growing concerns about public health and property damage caused by the large pigeon populations.

Why Pigeon Feeding is Banned: Health and Property Hazards

The primary reasons for banning pigeon feeding revolve around the dangers pigeons pose to health and urban property. Pigeon droppings carry harmful pathogens like fungi and bacteria, including Salmonella, E. coli, and those responsible for diseases such as histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and psittacosis. These infections can cause severe respiratory illnesses in humans, including hypersensitivity pneumonitis or “pigeon lung,” a condition marked by chronic inflammation of the lungs. Mumbai doctors have reported a rise in cases linked to exposure to dried pigeon droppings and feathers.

Beyond health risks, pigeons cause significant damage to buildings and vehicles. Their acidic droppings corrode paintwork, metal, stone, and wood. A local car owner recounted the costly damage pigeons caused to his vehicle’s paint over three years. Wherever the droppings fell and dried, the paint changed colour, forcing him to repaint the car. To mask future damage, he plans to paint his car white, hoping it will lessen visible stains.

Pigeons also block drains and gutters with nesting materials, worsening water damage and structural problems. Their nesting in chimneys and flues presents a fire hazard. Public spaces marred by slippery droppings become dangerous, and heritage monuments suffer from accelerated decay, adding to repair costs and municipal liabilities.

Environmental Concerns and Future Steps

Environmentalists and experts have noted that the large pigeon populations are largely unnatural, created by excessive feeding of grains by residents. The head of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) highlighted that Mumbai’s pigeon numbers exceed ecological carrying capacity, posing risks to both human health and urban biodiversity. Controlling pigeon feeding is essential to restoring ecological balance.

While the ban remains in effect, authorities have allowed limited, supervised feeding in designated areas to balance cultural practices with public health needs. The BMC is also exploring sustainable solutions, such as creating pigeon shelters away from densely populated areas, monitoring through CCTV, and involving wildlife experts to devise long-term management strategies.

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