Mumbai News: BMC Intensifies Action Against Pigeon Feeding At Kabutar Khanas, Collects ₹61,900 In Fines Across 49 Locations

Mumbai: The BMC has expedited its action towards the closure of 51 kabutar khanas (pigeon feeding spots) in Mumbai. From June 19 to July 12, the civic body has collected a total fine of Rs 61,900, of which as much as Rs 55,700 was collected from July 3 onwards. The action has been taken at 49 locations across a total of 114 cases, BMC data says.

The BMC is expected to impose a fine of Rs 500 for feeding the birds under its revised Solid Waste Management Health and Sanitation By-laws of 2006, but the data raises questions about whether Rs 1000 or more is imposed per case in certain wards.

The civic body on Monday also submitted its action report on steps towards closures of kabutar khanas, including the data on fine collection to the state government, sources from the BMC said. It was on July 3 that the Maharashtra government ordered the BMC to immediately shut down all kabutar khanas in Mumbai, citing health hazards arising out of their waste and feathers.

Replying on behalf of the government to Shiv Sena MLC Manisha Kayande’s question, Minister Uday Samant had said directions will be issued to BMC to immediately start the process of shutting all kabutar khanas and start an awareness drive about the hazards of feeding pigeons.

Accordingly, on July 4, the G-North ward of the BMC demolished the illegally constructed storage inside Dadar's kabutar khana and also confiscated around food grain packets stored to feed the pigeons.

As per the data accessed by the FPJ, from June 19 to July 12, the highest actions have been taken in H-West ward (Bandra West) and G-North ward (Dadar), with 16 cases each and a fine of Rs 8000 and Rs 7700 respectively.

In H-East ward (Bandra East) fine of Rs 5500 is collected in 11 cases; S ward (Bhandup), Rs 5500 in five cases; R-South (Kandivali East), Rs 4000 in eight cases; and P-South (Goregaon West), Rs 3000 in six cases, among other wards.

BMC officials conduct action at a kabutar khana in Lokhandwala amid rising concerns over health hazards from pigeon feeding

On Monday morning, a team from BMC’s SWM department reached the Ganpati Pond area, Lokandwala, along with personnel from the Oshiwara police station to take action against the ongoing pigeon feeding. The team was seen urging the feeders to stop the activity.

Assistant Municipal Commissioner of G-North ward, Vinayak Vispute said, “Levying a fine is one action. But the BMC is also creating awareness about the hazards of pigeon feeding as per the instructions from the state government. Complete closure of kabutar khanas is only possible when citizens stop feeding, otherwise the birds will keep returning to the spots.”

Vispute also added that if it is observed that there is no reduction in pigeon feeding activities despite imposing fines and awareness drives, the BMC will consider filing police complaints against the violators.

Founder of Lokhandwala Oshiwara Citizens Association, Dhaval Shah said, “We welcome the BMC's actions against the pigeon feeders. However, Rs 500 penalty is negligible and a minimum of Rs 1000 should be imposed against the violators. Some spots in Lokhandwala have turned into large pigeon feeding locations and the birds are overfed. People should understand the severe respiratory illness caused by pigeon droppings.”

Mumbai News: Activists Warn Of Large-Scale Protests Against Crackdown On City’s Kabutar Khanas, Demand Scientific Study Before Action

Some of the civic wards with the highest actions against pigeon feeding from June 19 to July 12: