The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Wednesday informed the Bombay High Court that it intends to allow controlled feeding of pigeons for two hours every morning at the Dadar Kabutarkhana, subject to conditions.
A division bench of Justices G.S. Kulkarni and Arif Doctor, however, directed that before granting such permission, the civic body must issue a public notice inviting objections and then take a considered decision. The court stressed that the BMC’s earlier decision to close kabutarkhanas and ban pigeon feeding was taken in the larger interest of public health and that “the sanctity of the same has to be maintained.”
Last week, the BMC covered the Dadar Kabutarkhana with tarpaulin sheets to prevent feeding, prompting protests in which agitators forcibly removed the covers. Following this, some individuals submitted an application seeking interim arrangements for limited feeding. On Wednesday, BMC counsel Ram Apte told the court the civic body plans to permit feeding from 6 a.m. to 8 a.m., but the bench questioned if objections had been sought before considering the application.
“You cannot just allow feeding now once you have already taken a closure decision keeping public health in mind. You will have to take a well-considered decision,” the bench observed, adding that the civic body must invite public objections before deciding.
Meanwhile, the Maharashtra government submitted a list of 11 members for a committee to conduct a scientific study on public pigeon feeding and its health impact. Advocate General Birendra Saraf said the committee, to be notified by August 20, will include public health officials, town planners, and medical experts.
The petitions before the court challenge the BMC’s blanket ban on pigeon feeding at kabutarkhanas over concerns about respiratory and other health risks. Last month, the HC refused interim relief to the petitioners but restrained the civic body from demolishing heritage kabutarkhanas, while permitting legal action against those feeding pigeons in public places. The Supreme Court earlier this week declined to interfere with that order.
Senior counsel Anil Sakhare, appearing for the petitioners, said if the BMC ultimately permits controlled feeding, they would seek a modification of the earlier HC order.
