The Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Department has directed the Urban Development Department (UDD) to take steps to regulate and prohibit pigeon feeding in public places, citing serious respiratory health concerns.
For more details : https://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/bangalore/karnataka-to-regulate-pigeon-feeding-citing-respiratory-health-concerns/article70404721.ece
In a letter dated December 16, Deputy Secretary V. Lakshminath asked the UDD to instruct the Greater Bengaluru Authority and all municipal corporations to enforce strict guidelines. These include a ban on pigeon feeding in areas causing public nuisance or health hazards. Feeding may be permitted only in designated locations, under controlled conditions and for limited hours, with maintenance responsibilities assigned to charitable organisations or NGOs.
Local authority officers have been empowered to issue on-the-spot warnings, impose fines or initiate prosecution against violators. Civic bodies have also been asked to conduct public awareness campaigns on health risks, penalties and alternative humane bird conservation methods.
The Health Department warned that prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers can lead to respiratory diseases such as hypersensitivity pneumonitis and other serious lung conditions, which may cause irreversible damage, particularly among vulnerable groups.
The letter also referred to similar measures taken by the Greater Mumbai Corporation following Bombay High Court directions. Legal provisions under the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, the Greater Bengaluru Authority Act, 2025, and the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976, empower civic bodies to act to prevent public nuisance and protect public health.
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