Pigeon feeding ban sparks debate in India

A recent court to feed pigeons in the public spaces in the West Indian city Mumbai has become an important flare point between civil bodies, public health activists and bird lovers.

This month, hundreds of people clashed with the police twice as he protested the closure of the decades of pigeons or a Kabutarkhana. (Kabutar is the word Hindi for pigeon.)

Some tear the tarpaulin layers covering the point and threatened an indefinite hunger strike. According to Media reports, the police reported that the police have briefly detained approximately 15 people in another protest.

Authorities imposed a ban due to concerns about health hazards due to pigeon feces.

The problem is not specific to Mumbai. In Venice, it was forbidden to feed pigeons in historical frames. Singapore has a heavy fine and organized New York and London nutrition zones.

In India, the cities of Pune and Than in Maharashtra, the capital of Mumbai, were punished for feeding pigeons. Delhi a consulting against feeding Birds in public spaces.

Since pigeons touched the cultural texture of India for a long time, printing angered animal lovers and religious feeders.

Movies usually use the shooting of cereal feeding pigeons to awaken cities such as Mumbai and Delhi, where birds are a familiar entity on balconies and air conditioners.

Some of Mumbai’s Kabutarkhanas are iconic heritage structures and are said to have emerged as philanthropists in which communities can donate cereals.

There are also religious feelings. In Mumbai, the Jain community, which sees listening to pigeons as a religious task, became vocal in its protests.

Elsewhere, many of them share a bond with pigeons, which are seen as symbols of peace and loyalty.

In Delhi, Syd Ismat says he has been feeding birds for 40 years and he was thinking about his family.

“They are innocent. Maybe the most innocent of all creatures. All they want is a little kindness,” Mr. Ismat said.

However, these feelings are drawn against long -term exposure to work. pigeon Pulmonary risks and respiratory diseases.

India’s explosion in the pigeon population in recent years has increased the limitations by increasing this risk.

Delhi -based Biodiversity Specialist Faiyaz Khudsar said that the easy -to -find of food leads to the overpopulation of pigeons in many countries.

In India, the difficulty, such as Goraiya, is commonly known as home sparrows and is increasingly relocated by pigeons, he said.

“Without easy food and predators, pigeons produce faster than ever. They leave other urban birds behind, create an ecological loss.” He said.

2023 Indian State Birds Report Pigeon numbers increased by more than 150 % Since 2000 – the biggest leap between all birds – leaving houses and public spaces with feces, because each bird can produce up to 15kg (33 lbs) per year.

The studies contain at least these feces Seven types of zoonotic pathogen This can cause pneumonia, fungal infections and even lung damage in humans.

75 -year -old Delhi Sakini Nirmal Kohli began to complain about permanent cough and had difficulty breathing a few years ago.

“In the end, a IT scan showed that some of his lungs shrunk,” says his son Amit Kohli. “Doctors said it was due to exposure to pigeon feces.”

Last year, a 11 -year -old boy died Due to hypersensitivity in Delhi, due to pneumonitis – a disease that causes inflammation in the lungs. Doctors said the cause was exposed to pigeon feces and feathers.

RS Pal, a pulmonologist, told BBC that such cases are common.

“Even if you don’t feed the pigeons directly, the feces on the window thresholds and balconies may cause hypersensitivity pneumonitis,” he said.

He continued: “We see bacterial, viral and fungal infections in people who regularly manage pigeons.”

These concerns are what caused the Mumbai civil organ to impose the ban on nutrition last month and start a driving to destroy the nutrition centers.

The demolitions were waiting, but the Supreme Court of Bombs made an objection against the prohibition of nutrition by showing public health as a “paramount” and ordering a strict action on illegal feeding.

Delhi Mayor Raja Iqbal Singh, BBC love for birds can not come at the expense of people’s welfare, he said.

“Feeding points are usually contaminated, causing bad odors, infections and pests. We are trying to minimize feeding,” he said.

However, many lovers of animals do not agree.

Mohammad Younus, which supplies cereals to a nutrition point in Delhi, argues that if hygiene is not preserved, all animals can spread diseases.

“I have been surrounded by pigeons for the last 15 years. If there was something, it would happen to me.”

A jain monk in Mumbai told BBC Marathi that he would die of starvation due to a ban on feeding thousands of pigeons.

An Animal Rights activist Megha Uniyal pointed out that there was no clarity of how to apply the ban on doves.

“When it comes to regulating pigeon feeding, it is a word thrown by the authorities, but no one really understands what it may require,” he said.

In the midst of these competing content, efforts to find a middle floor continue.

Ethical therapy of animals (PETA) suggests that India’s Ujjwal Agrain only allow pigeon feeding in the morning and evening.

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

The Supreme Court of Bombay created an expert panel to propose alternatives, and Mumbai civilian officials say that it could be allowed to allow controlled, gradual nutrition based on its advice.

The solution for Syd Ismat is to rethink the relationship between birds and urban areas.

“Maybe it’s time to redesign how we share our cities with all kinds of lifestyles, not only with pigeons.” He said.

Additional reports by Sharania based on Delhi

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