BMC considers shifting Dadar Kabutarkhana, plans meeting of stakeholders

Mumbai: The G-North ward office of the BMC is contemplating shifting the landmark Dadar Kabutarkhana to another location in view of the complaints against it. Locals point out that they have been demanding the shifting of the kabutarkhana for a long time, considering the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers. According to civic officials, they are considering shifting the kabutarkhana to a less congested place, one which has fewer residential buildings. The G-North ward office plans to hold a meeting of stakeholders to decide on the shifting."The Dadar Kabutarkhana is a major problem for local residents. We have been demanding the shifting of the kabutarkhana for some time now. Citizens face health problems, including asthma and lung and breathing issues due to the pigeon droppings and feathers. A large number of children and elders are affected by the problems caused by the pigeons. People even face itching and skin diseases due to pigeons. The pigeons not only flock to the kabutarkhana, but they also move around the entire area. Residents have to put up nets, apart from grills, to prevent pigeons from entering the window area of the flats, as they come and set up their nests and lay eggs. Even WHO has pointed to the ill effects of pigeon droppings and feathers," said Priyanka Borkar, who lives in the vicinity of the kabutarkhana."It is a marketplace, and there are several shops and stalls selling food items. There is always a risk of the food being contaminated by the bacteria from the droppings," another resident said.Jay Shringarpure, who heads the environment cell of the MNS, said, "There has been a proliferation of illegal and unauthorised kabutarkhanas in the city. We have been advocating for ending the feeding of the pigeons to ensure that you don't create an ecosystem for the proliferation of the pigeons. Everybody faces a problem because of pigeons, and there are a large number of complaints about health problems caused by them. We want the kabutarkhana shifted from here. However, a part of the kabutarkhana is said to be a heritage site. When the pigeons take off, large amounts of feathers spread across the area. The droppings of the pigeons are acidic."A BMC G-North ward official said, "We are looking at various options, including shifting the kabutarkhana to a location near Kirti College or near Worli. However, we will make a decision after considering the opinion of the stakeholders." Sandeep Doshi, a trustee of the Dadar Kabutarkhana trust, said, "The kabutarkhana is an identity of Dadar. Why does it need to be shifted anywhere else? A portion of the space is under the central govt, and the rest is under the BMC. In Gujarat, every village has a kabutarkhana, and nobody is suffering from any disease. We clean the kabutarkhana every day after 7 pm. We have even reduced the quantity of the food that is being fed to the pigeons." Mumbai: The G-North ward office of the BMC is contemplating shifting the landmark Dadar Kabutarkhana to another location in view of the complaints against it. Locals point out that they have been demanding the shifting of the kabutarkhana for a long time, considering the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers. According to civic officials, they are considering shifting the kabutarkhana to a less congested place, one which has fewer residential buildings. The G-North ward office plans to hold a meeting of stakeholders to decide on the shifting."The Dadar Kabutarkhana is a major problem for local residents. We have been demanding the shifting of the kabutarkhana for some time now. Citizens face health problems, including asthma and lung and breathing issues due to the pigeon droppings and feathers. A large number of children and elders are affected by the problems caused by the pigeons. People even face itching and skin diseases due to pigeons. The pigeons not only flock to the kabutarkhana, but they also move around the entire area. Residents have to put up nets, apart from grills, to prevent pigeons from entering the window area of the flats, as they come and set up their nests and lay eggs. Even WHO has pointed to the ill effects of pigeon droppings and feathers," said Priyanka Borkar, who lives in the vicinity of the kabutarkhana."It is a marketplace, and there are several shops and stalls selling food items. There is always a risk of the food being contaminated by the bacteria from the droppings," another resident said.Jay Shringarpure, who heads the environment cell of the MNS, said, "There has been a proliferation of illegal and unauthorised kabutarkhanas in the city. We have been advocating for ending the feeding of the pigeons to ensure that you don't create an ecosystem for the proliferation of the pigeons. Everybody faces a problem because of pigeons, and there are a large number of complaints about health problems caused by them. We want the kabutarkhana shifted from here. However, a part of the kabutarkhana is said to be a heritage site. When the pigeons take off, large amounts of feathers spread across the area. The droppings of the pigeons are acidic."A BMC G-North ward official said, "We are looking at various options, including shifting the kabutarkhana to a location near Kirti College or near Worli. However, we will make a decision after considering the opinion of the stakeholders." Sandeep Doshi, a trustee of the Dadar Kabutarkhana trust, said, "The kabutarkhana is an identity of Dadar. Why does it need to be shifted anywhere else? A portion of the space is under the central govt, and the rest is under the BMC. In Gujarat, every village has a kabutarkhana, and nobody is suffering from any disease. We clean the kabutarkhana every day after 7 pm. We have even reduced the quantity of the food that is being fed to the pigeons."