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Fadnavis opposes immediate closure of Mumbai’s kabutarkhanas, suggests curbs to mitigate health risks

Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis held a meeting after several Jain organisations opposed the Bombay High Court order to shut all kabutarkhanas in Mumbai.

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Devendra Fadnavis has directed the authorities to conduct a study on the health issues caused by kabutarkhanas. (Express Photo/Akash Patil)

Action against kabutarkhanas (pigeon shelters) following a Bombay High Court order is likely to get hampered after Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis on Tuesday opined against their immediate closure and suggested formulating rules on specific time for feeding pigeons kept in them.

On July 31, the Bombay High Court directed the closure of kabutarkhanas citing health risks involved and based on it, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) covered the kabutarkhana in Dadar. Several Jain organisations objected to it citing their century-old tradition and were supported by minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha. In the wake of the opposition, Fadnavis called a meeting of officials on Tuesday.

Fadnavis has directed the authorities to conduct a study on the health issues caused by kabutarkhanas. “He also mentioned that immediate closure of kabutarkhanas is not appropriate. Instead, there can be fixed timings for giving them food so control feeding is possible. He also directed the civic body to look for machines to clean pigeon faeces, which turns out to pose a health risk,” said a government official.

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Sources said the chief minister asked his Government and the municipal corporation to prepare for a legal battle if necessary.

Lodha said after the meeting that the BMC would restore the water connection and remove the cover on the Dadar kabutarkhanas.

“As far as health risks are concerned, CM Fadnavis has strictly directed that all precautions such as cleaning and restricted feeding will be taken. People’s health is of utmost importance to us,” he said.

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