Following the closure of the Dadar Pigeon Shelter due to ongoing legal and health concerns, a new pigeon shelter was inaugurated on Sunday at Sanjay Gandhi National Park in Borivali by Cabinet Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha.
The shelter has been built near ‘Teen Moorti Podanpur’ by the Adinath Digambar Jain Temple Trust, and has been welcomed by bird lovers and the Jain community.
During the event, Minister Lodha stated that official pigeon shelters should be set up in every ward of the city to prevent health issues for residents while ensuring that pigeons are fed in a controlled and clean manner.
Background: Legal and Health Issues Around Feeding Pigeons
Feeding pigeons in public spaces has led to growing health concerns in Mumbai, with medical professionals linking pigeon droppings to respiratory diseases. The issue reached the Bombay High Court, which ordered the closure of the Dadar pigeon shelter.
In compliance with the court’s directive, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) invited public suggestions and objections on feeding pigeons in a regulated way. Over 300 responses have been received so far. Earlier, after the BMC restricted feeding pigeons, some bird lovers filed a petition in the High Court. During the hearing on August 13, the court upheld the BMC’s decision to continue the ban.
However, the BMC informed the court that a proposal is being considered to allow feeding pigeons near the Dadar shelter during specific hours from 6 AM to 8 AM.
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