Despite BMC designating four controlled pigeon feeding spots in Mumbai, no NGO or citizen group has applied to maintain them, leaving the city’s kabutarkhana issue unresolved
A tarpaulin sheet installed over the pigeon feeding spot at Dadar Kabutarkhana in 2025. File pic/ASHISH RAJE
In June and July last year, Mumbai saw large-scale protests regarding the BMC plan to shut down 51 kabutar-khanas across the city, citing health hazards and a rise in infectious diseases arising from feeding pigeons in open spaces in residential areas. While shutting these zones, BMC designated four spots in the suburbs and island city for controlled feeding of pigeons, inviting non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and activist groups to take permission from the civic body and maintain them, while feeding pigeons only at these spots at specific times in the early morning and night. However, four months after the BMC invited applications from citizen organisations to adopt these spots, it has not received a single application.
An official said, “This is now an old issue. Not a single organisation has come forward. The spots were chosen by BMC, trying to ensure all aspects of health, animal welfare, and respecting the sentiments of all impacted by the decision were considered. Hence, the spots were chosen in accessible locations but not near residential areas. Since no one has come forward with an application, the issue has not moved forward.” The official added, “The matter is sub judice.”
BMC’s decision
In November 2025, the BMC allowed controlled feeding of pigeons at four locations in each of the zones in the city — Worli reservoir in South Mumbai, located in the G North ward; Lokhandwala Back Road, Andheri, in the western suburbs; Old Airoli-Mulund Octroi Naka, Mulund, in the eastern suburbs; and Gorai Maidan, Borivli West, in the western suburbs, on the condition that organisations will have to come forward and apply to the BMC for permission to feed pigeons at these locations and take responsibility for their maintenance.
Political angle
Jankalyan Party, a political outfit formed by activists fighting the BMC’s ban on feeding pigeons in public, had a lone contestant for the civic election 2026, from ward 225 in South Mumbai, who bagged 81 votes in the elections and resigned from the party on Tuesday. The party was formed under the spiritual guidance of Jain Muni Nilesh Chandra. Among its manifesto promises was the fight against BMC’s decision to close kabutar-khanas in the city.
In a statement, Sneha Visaria, the founding member of the party, its single contestant for BMC elections, said, “I have quit the party for multiple reasons. I am not sure of party-level momentum on the fight against BMC’s pigeon feeding ban.” While an activist said they look forward to the court ruling about the issue and stated that the spots selected by BMC are 4-5 km away from busy areas or city centres, and it is impossible to ensure someone visits them daily to feed pigeons.
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