The debate on pigeon prohibition sparks in India

A recent legal ban on nourishing pigeons in the public spaces of the city of Mumbai in the West Indians has become a major flash between civic organizations, public health activists and bird lovers.

This month, hundreds of people came up against the police twice while protesting against the closure of a diet of pigeons of several decades, or a Kabutarkhana. (Kabotar is the Hindi word for the pigeon.)

Some have destroyed the sheets covering the place and threatened an indefinite hunger strike. Police briefly owned around 15 people in another demonstration, according to the media.

The authorities had imposed the ban due to concerns about health risks due to pigeon excrement.

The problem is not unique in Mumbai. In Venice, the food of pigeons in historic squares is prohibited. Singapore requires heavy fines, and New York and London have regulated the food areas.

In India too, the cities of Pune and Thane of the State of Maharashtra – of which Mumbai is the capital – imposed sanctions on the food of pigeons. Delhi is thinking about a notice to feed birds in public spaces.

The repression has angry animal lovers and religious feeders, because the pigeons have long been woven in the cultural fabric of India.

Films often use pigeon plans in cereals to evoke cities like Mumbai and Delhi, where birds are a familiar presence on balconies and air conditioners.

Some of the Kabutarkhanas of Mumbai are emblematic heritage structures and have been from charity spaces where communities could give cereals.

There are also religious feelings involved. In Mumbai, the Jain community, who considers nourishing her pigeons a pious duty, was vocal in their manifestations.

Elsewhere, too, many share a link with pigeons – considered symbols of peace and loyalty.

In Delhi, Syed Ismat says he has been feeding birds for 40 years and considers them as his family.

“They are innocent. Perhaps the most innocent of all creatures. All they ask is a bit of kindness,” said Mr. Ismat.

But these feelings are opposed to studies which show that prolonged exposure to pigeon excrement presents risks of pulmonary and respiratory diseases.

A boom from the Pigeons of India in recent years has increased this risk, which has caused restrictions.

Biodiversity expert based in Delhi, Fayaz Khudsar, said that the easy food availability has led to overcrowding pigeons in many countries.

In India, he said, the challenge is aggravated by a drop in birds like the Goraiya, commonly known as the sparrow of the house, which are increasingly moved by pigeons.

“With easy foods and no predator, pigeons reproduce faster than ever. They exceed other urban birds, creating an ecological loss,” said Khudsar.

The report on the birds of the state of 2023 indicates that the number of pigeons has increased by more than 150% since 2000 – the largest jump among all birds – leaving houses and public spaces with excrement, because each bird can produce up to 15 kg (33 lb) per year.

Studies show that these excrement contains at least seven types of zoonotic pathogens which can cause diseases such as pneumonia, fungal infections and even pulmonary damage in humans.

Nirmal Kohli, a 75 -year -old Delhi resident, began complaining about persistent cough and had trouble breathing a few years ago.

“Finally, a computed tomography showed that part of his lung had shrunk,” said his son Amit Kohli. “Doctors said it was due to exposure to pigeon excrement.”

Last year, an 11 -year -old boy died in Delhi due to hypersensitivity pneumonitis – a disease that causes lung inflammation. Doctors said the reason was prolonged exposure to pigeon and feathers.

Rs PAL, a pulmonologist, told BBC that such cases were common.

“Even if you do not feed the pigeons directly, their excrement on windows and balconies can cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis,” he said.

“We also see bacterial, viral and fungal infections in people regularly handling pigeons.”

These concerns are what led the civic organization to Mumbai to impose the food ban last month and launch a trip to demolish the food centers.

Demolitions are pending, but the High Court of Bombay rejected a plea against the prohibition of food, citing public health as “primordial” and ordering strict measures on illegal food.

The mayor of Delhi, Raja Iqbal Singh, told the BBC that the love of birds could not be done at the cost of people’s well-being.

“Places of food often become dirty, leading to nauseating odors, infections and parasites. We work to minimize food,” he said.

But many animal lovers do not agree.

Mohammad Younus, who provides grains to a diet in Delhi, maintains that all animals can spread disease if hygiene is not maintained.

“I have been surrounded by pigeons for 15 years. If something should have happened, it would also have happened to me,” he said.

In Mumbai, a monk Jain told the BBC Marathi that thousands of pigeons would die of hunger due to the prohibition of food.

Megha Uniyal, an animal rights activist, stressed that there was no clarity on how the ban on nourishing pigeons would be implemented.

“Regarding the regulation of pigeons feeding, it is a word launched by the authorities, but no one really understands what it could cause,” she said.

In the midst of these competing statements, efforts are underway to find common ground.

UJJWAL AGRAN, people for the ethical treatment of animals (PETA) India, suggests allowing pigeons to feed only during the morning and evening hours.

“This gives enough time for civic bodies to cleanse the place and maintain hygiene. In this way, we respect both public health and emotional ties,” he said.

The High Court of Bombay has created a panel of experts to suggest alternatives, and Civic Managers of Mumbai say that the controlled and staggered food can be authorized on the basis of its advice.

For Syed ISMAT, the solution lies in the redress of the relationship between birds and urban spaces.

“It may be time to reinvent the way we share our cities, not only with pigeons but with all life forms,” he said.

Additional Sharanya Dayal reports in Delhi

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