Context
On August 6, hundreds of people clashed with police to tear down tarpaulin sheets put up by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) at the Dadar Kabutarkhana to stop the feeding of pigeons at the historic landmark.
On feeding pigeons
- Over the past few weeks, civic authorities have cracked down on the feeding of pigeons in public places in Mumbai, acting on directives issued by the state government and the Bombay High Court.
- Public opinion has been divided between those who have welcomed the action, citing health concerns linked with the birds, and critics including animal rights activists and members of the Jain community, for whom the feeding of pigeons holds religious significance.
Jains and kabutarkhanas
- Feeding of pigeons is considered a pious duty in Jainism, which views this as a form of jeev daya, or compassion for living beings.
- Members of the community have historically erected pigeon houses in their homes and neighbourhoods — wooden structures holding up platforms that rise up to 7 metres in height, on which grain is scattered.
- Larger structures called kabutriyas or kabutarkhanas, often built with community funds, were erected across Mumbai over the past century.
- The oldest of these was built by the Jain merchant Devidas Kothari in 1923 and includes a pyau or fountain.
- Many are located near Jain temples and in neighbourhoods with large Gujarati populations. Feeding pigeons after offering prayers at the temple is part of the foundational memory of many Jains.
- The Dadar kabutarkhana too is located near a Jain temple. Records show that in 1937, seeking permission to construct an enclosure for the protection of pigeons and other birds.
- In 1948, the temple trustees asked for permission to build a home and a water trough for the pigeons on the traffic island.
Directives by govt, HC
- The long tradition of feeding pigeons notwithstanding, the explosion in the birds’ population, and the rising instances of pulmonary ailments among humans being traced to their feathers and droppings, have raised concerns in recent years.
- The court observed that “human health” was “paramount” and that the rights of humans and animals should be balanced. It declined to pass an interim order to allow feeding of pigeons, but halted the demolition of heritage kabutarkhanas.
- On July 24, the court said that there cannot be anything more vital than human health and if any hazard is caused due to pigeons’ congregation at feeding areas, the same was a matter of grave social concern.
- The HC asked BMC to install CCTV cameras to monitor “mischievous” feeders, depute beat marshals or civic officers at feeding sites, and use nets to prevent pigeons from congregating.
Where matters stand
- The BMC is now considering the option of allowing feeding in a staggered manner for a few hours of the day, in line with the CM’s directive to permit controlled feeding, officials said.
- The HC cited an opinion by Dr Sujeet Rajan of Bombay Hospital recommending dismantling of pigeon-breeding areas at the earliest.
Conclusion
Therefore, the court said, it was considering setting up a committee of experts, and if this committee agreed with the BMC’s decision, the authorities should consider an alternative workable mechanism for the pigeons.