Pune: 3 weeks after PMC started campaign against ‘pigeon feeding’, limited impact seen on ground

The bird spots are being manned by PMC health department staff who are creating awareness on the issue among the feeders that the feathers and droppings of these birds can cause serious diseases like hypersensitivity pneumonitis (HP) or bird fancier’s lung (BFL) and also trigger asthma attacks in asthmatic patients.

The Indian Express reviewed the impact of the campaign at the five most prominent pigeon spots in the city to find that there has been limited improvement in the situation with numerous persons, especially on holidays, flocking to these spots to feed the birds.

1) Power House, Rasta Peth

The statue in front of the Power House has become a favourite spot for the pigeons in that area. Around a decade ago, there was a fountain in that same spot but after it was removed, pigeons started inhabiting that place. As of now, approximately 200 pigeons flock here and the number keeps growing as people still keep feeding them. Locals say that the PMC’s campaign has caused little change at this spot.

The statue in front of the Power House has become a favourite spot for the pigeons in that area. (Express Photo by Vaishnavi Pawar)

Mohammad Ansari, a mechanic who has a shop in the vicinity, said: “All day long, people keep feeding the pigeons, they’ll throw the grains and go away. But people residing here have to bear the consequences, my shop is right in front of the statue, and as and when these birds move, small white feathers spread in the area and it starts feeling suffocating. I’ve tried stopping people since the notice from the PMC for not feeding pigeons was released, but none listens.” He added that the spot of the statue is not cleaned from time to time and a couple of dead pigeons and bird droppings can always be seen at the spot.

Sanjay Terekar, the sanitary inspector in charge of the area, said that workers man this spot from early morning till 1 pm to shoo away the feeders. “We have observed that people have started to turn up late at night to drop the grains since we started the campaign. However, due to the efforts the number of feeders has gone down,” said Terekar.

2) East Avenue (in front of Fortaleza Society), Kalyani Nagar

Another spot for feeding pigeons and the first location in the city where PMC staffers penalised someone for feeding the birds. As per locals, about 40-50 birds can be seen gathered on the pavement here enjoying grains offered to them by passers-by.

As per locals, about 40-50 birds can be seen gathered on the pavement here enjoying grains offered to them by passers-by. (Express Photo by Vaishnavi Pawar)

Avinash More, the divisional sanitary supervisor, said: “Until now, we have imposed penalties on three residents in Kalyani Nagar for feeding pigeons and sent away several others with a warning. There has been a decrease in the number of people feeding the birds, but still there are few who argue with us saying that they didn’t know about the notice or pigeons are God’s gift and shouldn’t be deprived of food. Since the last couple of weeks, we have been very strict with the residents and also counselled grocery shopkeepers, hence the number of pigeons has reduced now.”

3) Apte Ghat near Omkareshwar Temple

This is one of the most popular pigeon spots where about 400 pigeons can be seen enjoying the cool shade near the riverbed. Passers-by and people of religious bent often stop here to click a picture and to offer the pigeons some grains. As per locals, people have grown used to seeing the pigeons at this spot and feeding them for more than 20 years. Even after PMC’s ultimatum, people have continued to reach the spot and feed the birds.

As per locals, people have grown used to seeing the pigeons at Apte Ghat near Omkareshwar Temple and feeding them for more than 20 years. (Express Photo by Vaishnavi Pawar)

When asked about this issue, a resident said: “Generally, these pigeons stay close to the riverbed and do not come near their houses, or create any nuisance. Hence, there’s no reason for anyone to have any issues with them.”

Atik Sayyed, sanitary inspector with PMC, said that with persistent counselling, there has been some improvement in his jurisdiction. “There are two pigeon spots in my jurisdiction, Apte Ghat being one. Since we received directives from the seniors, our personnel are manning these spots in the morning hours to dissuade people from feeding the pigeons,” he said.

4) Siddheshwar Ghat near Bhide Bridge in Deccan Riverbed

Even this riverbed has attracted more than 350 to 400 pigeons. The residents here, too, seem to have no problem with the pigeons, since people are used to feeding them for more than a decade now. After the notice was released, a PMC personnel was appointed to keep a check near the riverbed areas.

Siddheshwar Ghat near Bhide Bridge has attracted more than 350 to 400 pigeons. (Express Photo by Vaishnavi Pawar)

Jankeshwar Dhaare, a PMC worker who was on duty to stop people from feeding pigeons, said: “My duty is from 8 am to 1 pm. Within this time, I stop at least 15 to 20 people from feeding the pigeons. While they stop the act due to the fear of the penalty, many of them are not that serious and are not aware of the hazardous consequences these birds may cause. Since I’ve started monitoring the area, I’ve experienced first-hand that those small white particles that float in the air after a bird takes a flight cause throat irritation.”

5) Near JSPM institute, Katraj Chowk

As per locals, there has been a steady increase in the number of birds at the feeding spot near JSPM College as well as generally in the locality. At present, about 150 to 200 pigeons can be seen resting on signal poles, wires, and hoardings.

As per locals, there has been a steady increase in the number of birds at the feeding spot near JSPM College as well as generally in the locality. (Express Photo by Vaishnavi Pawar)

Gangadhar Lone, a tea seller who has his stall right in front of the spot where people feed pigeons, said: “I have been wearing masks due to these birds way before the notice by PMC came. This is a busy and crowded spot, I won’t get any better space for my stall than this one, so I won’t shift because of the pigeons. Even now people come and feed pigeons throughout the day, they bring big 3 to 7 kg packets full of grains. I never stop them; I don’t want to start any argument with anyone and disrupt my business.”