Mumbai, among many other cities, has become a pigeon city. Everywhere you look you find these birds. The dropping of these birds cause ailments that are serious and long term. Due to the problems caused by them they are seen, by many, as rodents like rats.
In order to spread the message about the problems caused by them, BNHS or Bombay Natural History Society has initiated a campaign to stop mercy feeding.
Former municipal commissioner and current president of BNHS Praveen Singh Pardeshi talks about how the diversity of birds in Mumbai is also affected by overpopulation of pigeons.
He says, “To promote bird diversity in Mumbai we should stop mercy feeding pigeons. Man-made and unnatural increase of pigeon numbers is causing lung diseases and displacing tree dwelling birds.”
Jains, among many other communities, are known for feeding animals and birds. Kabutarkhana of Dadar was also built by Valamji Ratanshi Vora.
Jain Monk Yogendraji says, “We cannot stop feeding the pigeons, instead we should give them limited food and only one time in a day. We see gunny sacks full of grains given to the pigeons at Kabutar Khana.”
Nisha JamVwal, a resident of Cuffe Parade, has suffered serious health issues due to pigeon droppings. She explains how these birds are causing problems, “People think that they are being kind and benevolent by feeding pigeons and it is proliferating the number. The dust of the pigeons’ droppings go into the lungs and the entire pulmonary system. It’s very dangerous for human beings. Pigeon droppings are everywhere. Problem has become very serious and people continue to feed pigeons because they get influenced by films.”
Frustrated, JamVwal is trying to raise awareness regarding the problem. She says, “I think feeding of pigeons should be banned as it is dangerous for the atmosphere. Their population has to be mitigated.”
JamVwal is not the only one. Ornithologist, Subbu Subramaniam also believes that the pigeon population should be mitigated. He says, “More people are feeding pigeons. There are so many Kabutar Khanas in Mumbai. If you see the Gateway Of India, you will see a number of people feeding pigeons.”
Every animal plays a role in the ecosystem. The constant urbanization of the city has destroyed homes of many animals and birds. These animals have been displaced and their source of food has also been snatched. Rita Shah of the Save Bird, says, “No animal is a menace. Bombay used to be a forest. We built buildings for our selfish reasons. We broke their houses and built ours. And then we want them to leave. This is wrong.”
She adds, “I am not saying pigeons don’t cause diseases but harm only those with low immunity. These problems can happen to even those who smoke. These birds cannot talk so why are you harming them? It is true that animals should find their own food but that’s when they had their own house. Now they dont have so where they will go. Earlier there were farms but now there are no farms”
The birds are not necessarily a pest for everyone. It’s their growing population which results in diseases and a decrease in population of the other birds. JamVwal says, “Let’s mitigate the numbers. Let them go, fly and be in the wilderness. Don’t bring them to places populated by human beings.”
The documentary made by the BNHS, highlights the effect of this one species on human health. There are 60 diseases identified caused by pigeons.
Dr Prasad Solanki, a Pulmonologist, talks about these diseases, “Infections like Psittacosis Fungal infection Histoplasmosis and Interstitial lung diseases are caused by pigeons. Their feathers can cause allergic asthma. They cause chest problems. I see many patients with severe asthma and lung disease in my practice and invariably most patients have some direct exposure to pigeon droppings or feathers.”
JamVwal also faced severe health issues due to pigeon feather and droppings, “I have suffered three months of respiratory problems and coughing.”
Here are the ways you can prevent these ailments. Dr Prasad Solanki says, “Keep the area clean, avoid feeding to pigeons and avoid direct contact with pigeons. Clean pigeon droppings using a mask. Create awareness about the menace of the bird.”
Subbu Subramaniam has also put nets in the balcony and it helped him a great deal.
Every animal is important in the ecosystem but if their population grows out of proportion that’s when the problems are caused. Pigeons can be left alone completely on their own. We need to control the population of these birds by reducing mercy feeding.
