Feeding Pigeons in Mumbai Now a Criminal Offence

Aug 1, 2025 - The Bombay High Court has banned the feeding of pigeons in public places, saying it poses a threat to public health. The Court on July 30 directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to file FIR against individuals who feed pigeons in public areas and at kabutarkhanas despite a civic ban.

A Bench of Justices GS Kulkarni and Arif Doctor ruled that the issue is one of the grave and potential health hazard to people of all ages at large.

“We accordingly permit the municipal corporation to lodge prosecutions against any person/s who continues to feed pigeons in defiance of the directives issued by the MCGM (Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai) since such acts would, in our unhesitating view, constitute a public nuisance and likely to spread diseases and endanger human life," the High Court said.

Earlier in July, the Court had passed an order against demolition of the old heritage kabutarkhanas following a petition filed by a group of animal lovers challenging the demolition of the traditional pigeon feeding spots. But the Court had ruled that feeding of the birds will not be permitted.

The Bench directed the BMC to deploy beat marshals and install CCTV cameras to catch offenders and also not permit residents to feed pigeons from their windows. It advised deployment of police personnel to maintain law and order and support civic staff.

With Media Inputs