107 people fined for feeding pigeons at kabutarkhanas | Mumbai News
Mumbai: In a city-wide crackdown, the BMC penalised 107 individuals for feeding pigeons at various Kabutarkhanas between July 3 and 12. Each offender was fined Rs 500, amounting to a total of Rs 55,700 in collected fines. The highest number of cases were reported at the Dadar Kabutarkhana, where 16 violators paid Rs 7,700 in fines collectively. Other areas included Goregaon and Bangur Nagar, where Rs 3,000 in fines were levied.The BMC action follows the state govt announcement on July 3 to shut down all kabutarkhanas in the city. This move has been widely welcomed, with many saying it was long overdue, especially given the city’s surging population and resultant congestion.A BMC official stated as per existing civic laws, feeding animals and birds in non-designated areas attracts a penalty of Rs 500. “The JOs or junior overseers from each ward area are asked to levy a fine if anyone is found feeding pigeons, and a report regarding the action taken so far has also been submitted to the govt,” said an official.At Dadar Kabutarkhana, one of the most popular pigeon feeding sites outside the railway station along the west side and designated as a Grade II heritage structure, BMC officials also seized 50 bags (each weighing 50kg) of grains on two occasions (July 4 and 6) and issued notices to a group involved in regular grain supply at the site. “Action was taken immediately after the govt announced the decision to shut down kabutarkhanas. We have already given a letter to those individuals in the area involved in pigeon feeding routinely, and if it continues, we will be forced to take action by informing the local police,” said a senior G-North ward official. The BMC is also exploring options to upgrade and restore the heritage value of the Dadar Kabutarkhana.
