Mumbai: Continuing to crack down on feeding of pigeons, says BMC

A protest is staged at Dadar kabutarkhana on Wednesday against BMC’s closure of pigeon feeding site. PICS/SAYYED SAMEER ABEDI

While protesters brazenly tore open the tarpaulin installed over the Dadar kabutarkhana and emptied sacks of grain inside it on Wednesday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) said it was awaiting the next hearing of a writ petition related to the feeding of pigeons at kabutarkhanas in the Bombay High Court, which is scheduled to be heard on Thursday, before taking a decision on acting against the agitators.

A senior civic official told mid-day, "Action against those feeding pigeons at kabutarkhanas continued on Wednesday, and we are imposing R500 fines on offenders, as per the directives of the Bombay High Court. FIRs are also being lodged against those violating high court orders."

On July 30, the Bombay High Court directed BMC to lodge FIRs against persons who, ‘illegally' and in a ‘defiant manner', are feeding pigeons at kabutarkhanas in Dadar and other spots across Mumbai. A division bench of Justices Girish S Kulkar and Arif S Doctor was hearing a writ petition filed by animal rights activists and trustees of Dadar Kabutarkhana Trust, against the BMC's action. The court had also continued its interim order of not demolishing the Dadar Kabutarkhana, and will hear claims of it being a heritage structure.

Interestingly, Jains living next to kabutarkhana have covered their homes with net, to prevent birds from flying in

Meanwhile, the row over Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis's statement directing the BMC to supply food grains to pigeons in controlled quantities has intensified political debate. Fadnavis had also directed the civic body and the government to present their stand before the high court regarding the issue, in the ongoing writ petition.

Shiv Sena (UBT) MLA Aaditya Thackeray taking to social media on Tuesday evening, where he said, "Is the BJP playing around with the emotions of the Jains only for its political benefit? On July 3, a BJP MLC raised the issue about demolishing kabutarkhanas in Mumbai. Now, a BJP minister, who has the right to give orders to the BMC, is writing a letter to the civic body against it. Lodha is also the guardian minister of Mumbai! The truth is, the Jain community is seen as a guaranteed vote bank by the BJP, that can be swayed during elections, despite such games by the BJP."

The court directions to the civic body

>> File FIRs against those feeding pigeons illegally and in a defiant manner at kabutarkhanas in Dadar West and other spots.
>> Implement strict measures and immediately install CCTV cameras to capture activities such as people throwing grain in such areas.
>> Cover kabutarkhanas with nets and other appropriate materials to prevent the congregation of pigeons and allow them to "naturally survive like other birds in Mumbai". The court also asked local police stations to provide protection to BMC officers discharging their duties.