Over 140 fined for illegally feeding pigeons in Mumbai
The civic body has raked in penalties of up to Rs 68,700 from those fined.
The BMC's action came after the state government, on July 3, directed it to immediately shut down all pigeon feeding grounds (kabutarkhanas).
According to data furnished by the state Urban Development Minister Uday Samant, the city is home to at least 51 kabutarkhanas.
Records show that the civic body has imposed fines on at least 142 persons between July 13 and August 3 for illegally feeding pigeons in the city. The civic body has carried out action across at least 44 kabutarkhanas, with the BMC collecting total fines of upto Rs. 68,700.
The BMC is entitled to levy a fine of Rs 500 upon anyone who is found feeding animals/birds in non-designated areas.
Of this, the highest penalties have been imposed at Dadar's iconic kabutarkhanas wherein at least 58 people were fined for feeding birds. between July 4 and August 8.
Bringing to close a nearly century-old tradition, the BMC on August 2 shut the Dadar feeding ground by covering the site with tarpaulin sheets.
In Dadar, the BMC had also filed an FIR against an unidentified person at the Mahim Police Station on August 1 for feeding pigeons.
The stringent measures come along the heels of the Bombay High Court order issued on July 30, directing the civic body to lodge FIRs against persons 'illegally' and in a 'defiant' manner feeding pigeons at Dadar West, among other feeding areas in Mumbai, despite the policy prohibiting the feeding.
After Dadar, records show that the second highest fines have been imposed in the H/West ward wherein at least 15 people have been fined for feeding pigeons at two kabutarkhanas. Meanwhile, Rs 6,500 have been collected in penalties against 13 persons for unauthorised feeding in the T ward which encompasses Mulund.
Meanwhile, in at least five wards — B ward, C ward, L ward, M/west and M/East ward — the civic body has imposed no fines for illegal bird feeding.
Health experts have pointed to severe respiratory and systemic illnesses and their link with pigeons.
However, the closure of kabutarkhanas and the ban on bird feeding drew criticism from several quarters with members of the Jain community on Sunday morning carrying out a 'Shantidoot Yatra' from Colaba to Gateway of India in protest.
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