Kabutarkhana row: Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis softens stand on pigeon feeding spots

Kabutarkhana, Dadar File pic.

Though Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis has now remarked that the "abrupt" shutdown of pigeon feeding spots in Mumbai may not have been the right approach, it was his own administration that had initiated action against these sites about a month earlier, reported PTI.

The state government had already begun a crackdown on kabutarkhanas several weeks before the Bombay High Court's July 30 ruling, which declared mass pigeon feeding a public nuisance and a health threat. The court had also directed the BMC to file FIRs against individuals involved in such activities.

As the ban on feeding pigeons at public and heritage sites escalated into a political issue, Fadnavis adopted a more balanced stance to avoid public backlash, especially with the upcoming Mumbai civic elections in view, reported PTI.

Following the High Court's order, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on August 3 sealed off the Dadar Kabutarkhana, a Grade II heritage site and one of the city's most frequented pigeon feeding zones, using a tarpaulin cover to restrict public access.

As reported by PTI, between July 13 and August 3, the civic body penalised 142 individuals across the city for feeding pigeons at kabutarkhanas and collected a total fine of Rs 68,700.

On Tuesday, Fadnavis said the "abrupt" closure of kabutarkhanas (pigeon feeding spots) was not advisable, and asked the BMC to ensure a "controlled feeding" of the birds.

The next day, demonstrators, mainly from the Jain community, removed the tarpaulin installed by the civic authorities at Dadar Kabutarkhana. The group clashed with police who tried to prevent them from dismantling the bamboo-supported plastic covering, reported PTI.

After the police dispersed the crowd, Mumbai suburban guardian minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha visited the location and denounced the protest. He assured that appropriate legal action would be taken by the police.

The issue of kabutarkhanas was first brought up in the Maharashtra legislative council on July 3 during the monsoon session by Shiv Sena leader Manisha Kayande.

The nominated MLC had said 'kabutarkhanas' pose a danger to people living around them as their waste and feathers lead to respiratory diseases, reported PTI.

BJP leader Chitra Wagh, another nominated member of the council, had joined the debate and said she lost her aunt due to respiratory diseases arising from pigeon waste.

In an oral response, Industries Minister Uday Samant, replying on behalf of Deputy Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, who holds the urban development portfolio, said there were 51 'kabootarkhanas' in Mumbai, as reported by PTI.

"The civic body will be asked to start (an awareness) drive against 'kabutarkhanas' within a month. Directions will be issued to the BMC to immediately start the process of shutting down kabutarkhanas," Samant had told the Upper House of the state legislature.

Samant also stressed the importance of spreading awareness about the health issues linked to feeding pigeons, reported PTI.

In a written reply to Kayande's question, Shinde stated that ‘unauthorised kabutarkhanas located in suburban Santacruz (East), Daulat Nagar, and Santacruz (West) had already been shut down.'

(Inputs from PTI)