{"id":75427,"date":"2025-10-29T16:05:22","date_gmt":"2025-10-29T10:35:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/navimumbaihouses.com\/blog\/?p=75427"},"modified":"2025-10-29T16:05:22","modified_gmt":"2025-10-29T10:35:22","slug":"after-citywide-ban-bmc-proposes-pigeon-feeding-zones-in-sgnp-and-aarey","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/navimumbaihouses.com\/blog\/news\/after-citywide-ban-bmc-proposes-pigeon-feeding-zones-in-sgnp-and-aarey\/","title":{"rendered":"After Citywide Ban, BMC Proposes Pigeon-Feeding Zones in SGNP and Aarey"},"content":{"rendered":"

In a major shift in Mumbai\u2019s urban wildlife policy, the BMC is planning to designate four specific sites<\/strong> for pigeon-feeding \u2014 behind the July 2025 ban on traditional \u201ckabutarkhanas\u201d (public pigeon-feeding places) across the city. The proposed sites are at Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Aarey Colony, a mangrove patch in Wadala and the Gorai area.\u00a0
The move aims to balance public health concerns<\/strong> cited by the Bombay High Court, and religious sentiment<\/strong> around pigeon-feeding practices, especially within the Jain community.<\/p>\n

What\u2019s Driving It & What Are the Issues<\/h2>\n

A. Why the Ban Happened<\/strong><\/h3>\n

In July 2025, the Bombay High Court issued directives to clamp down on public pigeon-feeding zones, citing health hazards from pigeon droppings and potential fungal infections among people frequenting such spots. The BMC followed up by sealing multiple kabutarkhanas including the prominent one at Dadar.<\/p>\n

B. Why New Sites Were Identified<\/strong><\/h3>\n

To preserve the religious and cultural practice of pigeon-feeding, a delegation from the Jain community met the BMC Commissioner and requested alternate zones.\u00a0The BMC then proposed four sites that are away from dense residential zones<\/strong>, reportedly to minimize health risks and civic-infrastructure burden.<\/p>\n

C. Why the Choice of Locations is Controversial<\/strong><\/h3>\n

While SGNP and Aarey may be less crowded, they lie within or near ecologically sensitive zones: buffer areas for the national park and green corridors. Environmentalists warn that introducing large-scale pigeon-feeding could upset the local ecology, generate waste, attract predators, and impact native birds.<\/p>\n

Religious groups, on the other hand, argue that pigeon-feeding is a longstanding practice and the ban infringes on cultural rights.<\/p>\n

Implications & Stakeholder Viewpoints<\/h2>\n

For Religious Communities<\/h3>\n