Lodha, who is also the guardian minister of the Mumbai suburban district, wrote to BMC commissioner Bhushan Gagrani requesting identification of designated open spaces as temporary zones for supervised pigeon feeding
Sandeep Deshpande. Pic/X
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) has taken strong objection to Maharashtra minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha’s appeal to the Mumbai civic body seeking relief for the religious practice of pigeon feeding, stating that public health and urban hygiene must not be compromised for emotional reasons, reported news agency PTI.
Lodha, who is also the guardian minister of the Mumbai suburban district, wrote to BMC commissioner Bhushan Gagrani requesting identification of designated open spaces as temporary zones for supervised pigeon feeding. However, MNS leaders, while responding sharply to this proposal, said rational decision-making must prevail over sentimentality, reported PTI.
Backed by a Bombay High Court order, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Sunday covered the famous Dadar kabutarkhana with tarpaulin sheets to deter public feeding of pigeons, terming it a health hazard. The MNS has welcomed the civic body's proactive action and urged it not to succumb to pressure from any political quarters.
The High Court had directed the BMC to crack down on congregational pigeon feeding, citing it as a public nuisance and a threat to citizens’ health. The court had further instructed the civic body to file FIRs against violators, while allowing heritage kabutarkhanas to remain, but without allowing feeding activities, reported PTI.
MNS Mumbai city president Sandeep Deshpande firmly stated, “Everything cannot be viewed from an emotional lens. Decisions impacting lakhs of Mumbaikars should be made with rationality and scientific backing, especially when public health is at stake," reported PTI.
Despite the High Court’s directions, Lodha proposed forming a committee of experts under the court’s supervision to explore long-term solutions, and floated suggestions of pigeon feeding zones at BKC, Racecourse, Aarey Colony, or Sanjay Gandhi National Park.
His letter claimed that starving pigeons are being found dead on roads, causing disruptions to public transport. However, the MNS dismissed this argument, reiterating that the priority must be to reduce the pigeon population in urban areas, not encourage it.
Lodha wrote, “I write to you to express a growing concern regarding the issue of pigeon feeding in Mumbai, which has gained significant attention over the past month. If not addressed thoughtfully, this matter may have wider implications across the country.” MNS has countered this by asserting that what has wider implications is the spread of respiratory illnesses from pigeon droppings, and the government should act responsibly, reported PTI.
Last month, Shiv Sena minister Uday Samant assured the Maharashtra legislative council that kabutarkhanas would be shut down after MLC Manisha Kayande raised health concerns linked to pigeon droppings and feathers.
MNS has urged the BMC to continue enforcing the court's directives strictly and ensure that Mumbai’s public spaces remain clean, safe, and disease-free for its residents, reported PTI.
(With inputs from PTI)
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