A petition has been filed in the Bombay High Court challenging the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s decision to designate one of its temporary pigeon-feeding locations near the Airoli–Mulund Check Naka. The BMC had identified four such spots after imposing a citywide ban on feeding pigeons at 50 Kabutarkhanas, following a previous High Court directive advising authorities to shift feeding activities away from densely populated residential zones to reduce health hazards and public nuisance. Until an expert committee submits its final report, controlled feeding has been permitted at four interim sites: Worli Reservoir, a mangrove patch in Andheri West, the creekside area near the Airoli–Mulund Check Naka, and Gorai Maidan in Borivali West.
The present plea, filed by Advocate Sagar Devre, a resident of Mulund East, objects specifically to the Airoli–Mulund creekside location. Devre argues that this site sits directly along a heavily used arterial road connecting Mumbai and Navi Mumbai. According to him, pigeon feeders and large flocks suddenly taking flight near fast-moving traffic pose a serious risk of road accidents. The petition emphasises that the chosen point lies too close to a high-speed transportation corridor and contradicts the High Court’s direction to identify isolated spots.
Devre also highlights the ecological sensitivity of the selected area. The creek hosts mangroves and wetlands that attract migratory species, including flamingos, and serve as an important ecological buffer. Concentrated pigeon feeding in such a delicate environment could disrupt wildlife behaviour, interfere with migratory patterns, and create sanitation issues due to accumulated pigeon droppings. The plea warns that artificially boosting the pigeon population in a fragile habitat could disturb the ecological balance and degrade the creek ecosystem.
Seeking relief from the High Court, the petitioner has requested that the BMC reconsider and revoke the designation of the Airoli–Mulund creekside area as one of the interim feeding spots. As of now, the four designated locations remain temporary provisions until the court-appointed expert committee completes its assessment and proposes permanent guidelines for pigeon-feeding zones in Mumbai.
