The Maharashtra government has asked the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to take action on illegal kabootar khanas of mumbai. The comes after concerns were raised about public health and misuse of public spaces.
Shiv Sena (UBT) MLC Manisha Kayande brought up the issue in the legislative council. She said many unlicensed pigeon feeding spots had come up in Mumbai. She claimed that these places had taken over walkways and were causing breathing problems among residents.
As per sources, one such spot on Lady Jamshedji Road in Mahim had been set up on top of a Grade II heritage building in Dadar West. The location was reported to be illegal and it was suggested that a Miyawaki garden should be created there instead.
As per studies from the Indian Journal of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, pigeon feathers and droppings can lead to serious respiratory problems. Kayande questioned no action by Dadar’s assistant municipal commissioner Vinayak Vispute. She said that he had acted against such issues when he was posted in Bandra.
Urban Development Minister Uday Samant replied in the council. He said that 51 kabootar khanas in Mumbai were officially approved by the BMC. He informed that the BMC had been told to take action against illegal ones. He also said a campaign would be launched to create public awareness.
Samant added that BMC officials had even found pigeons being fed fast food. He said that the Dadar kabootar khana had been shut for two years due to protests. However, it reopened after a private trust overtook the site.
BJP leader Chitra Wagh also joined the discussion. She shared a personal experience. She said her aunt died of hypersensitivity pneumonitis after being around pigeons for a long time. She said three of her aunt’s friends still suffer from the same illness.
In a written reply, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde said that illegal kabootar khanas at Daulat Nagar in Santacruz West and East had already been shut down.
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