The Maharashtra government has directed the BMC to ban pigeon feeding across Mumbai to curb health hazards. The civic body will launch an awareness campaign and issue SOPs and citizen guidelines soon.
Pigeon feeding in Mumbai. Image/File pic
The Maharashtra government has instructed the BMC to immediately put a ban on people feeding pigeons across Mumbai. Acting on the Maharashtra government’s order, the health department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to carry out an extensive awareness campaign. The awareness campaign by the BMC health department will be organised to enlighten people about the health hazards of feeding pigeons in public places and open spaces, including Kabutar Khanas across Mumbai.
As per the reports, the BMC health department is in the process of drafting standard operating procedures (SOPs) for effective local administrative actions. The standard operating procedure will help the authorities tackle the menace to public health and cleanliness in open spaces due to feeding pigeons.
However, the guidelines related to pigeon feeding will also be released by the BMC health department for the citizens in the coming week. The guidelines will provide do’s and don’ts regarding pigeon feeding in public.
While addressing the pigeon feeding issue, the official statement from BMC asserted that “Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation's G/North ward (Dadar) undertook an encroachment removal drive at the Dadar Kabutarkhana on Friday morning.”
The statements from BMC also highlighted the things that were done by the authorities, including:
- Removal and confiscation of sacks of grains stored at the Kabutarkhana.
- Removal of the shed that was constructed by locals, which was an encroachment on the BMC structure.
- Removal of a portion of the unauthorised fencing constructed around the Kabutarkhana.
The query on the pigeon feeding issue was raised by Shiv Sena (Eknath Shinde) Member of Legislative Council (MLC) Manisha Kayande on Thursday during the Maharashtra Monsoon Assembly Session 2025.
Earlier on Thursday, Maharashtra Minister Uday Samant assured other members of the legislative council that the government will issue directives directing the BMC to immediately close all the pigeon feeding areas within Mumbai's limits.
Uday Samant on Thursday stated, "Currently, there are 51 locations in Mumbai where pigeons are fed. We will ask the civic body to immediately put an end to pigeon feeding at these locations."
The Cabinet Minister of the Ministry of Industries (Maharashtra), Uday Samant, announced a reply on the issue of pigeon feeding and its health effects on the nearby residents as a result of this activity.
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