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Mumbai: After HC refuses stay, activists urge BMC to allow fixed pigeon feeding time slots

Updated on: 13 August,2025 08:19 AM IST  |  Mumbai
Eshanpriya MS | eeshan.priya@mid-day.com

Activists seek BMC nod for feeding slots after high court refusal to stay ban in the previous hearing; in its previous hearing on August 7, the court had refused to stay the BMC’s ban and directed petitioners to obtain explicit written permission from the civic body if they still wished to feed pigeons in public places

Mumbai: After HC refuses stay, activists urge BMC to allow fixed pigeon feeding time slots

Despite the ban residents feed the pigeons on the terrace of the buildings in the locality. PICS/ASHISH RAJE

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Turning the heat on the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) once again over its ongoing ban on feeding pigeons in public places, petitioners challenging the prohibition in the Bombay High Court submitted eight letters to Municipal Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani’s office on Tuesday, requesting designated feeding time slots.

The letters were sent a day before the next hearing in the case, scheduled for Wednesday, August 13. In its previous hearing on August 7, the court had refused to stay the BMC’s ban and directed petitioners to obtain explicit written permission from the civic body if they still wished to feed pigeons in public places. The court also noted that the BMC had not indicated any reversal of its decision to shut down kabutarkhanas, clarifying that the ban itself was under challenge — not a court-imposed order.


Police personnel were deployed for security at Dadar kabutarkhana, on Tuesday
Police personnel were deployed for security at Dadar kabutarkhana, on Tuesday



In their letters, petitioners sought permission “in accordance with liberty granted under clause 15 of the Hon’ble Bombay High Court’s Order dated August 7, 2025, in writ petition number 21199.” They also submitted an undertaking to maintain cleanliness and hygiene at feeding spots and to use only dry, clean, additive-free grains.

Animal rights activist and one of the petitioners Sneha Visaria said, “I have sought permission for the whole Mumbai area. Other letters seek permission for just one or two ward locations. While we’ve asked for three slots, it doesn’t mean feeding will happen everywhere at all three times — it’s simply not feasible for one person to cover the city in an hour.”

Although the petitioners had requested a personal meeting with the municipal commissioner, the applications were submitted to his office instead, and no meeting was held.

They proposed three controlled feeding slots

Morning
7.30 am to 8.30 am

Afternoon 
12 pm to 1 pm

Evening
4 pm to 5 pm

Feeding outside these hours would not take place, they assured.

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