Pune NGO Challenges Pigeon Feeding Ban in Bombay High Court
Pune, 8th August 2025: The Shashwat Foundation, a Pune-based NGO, has approached the Bombay High Court challenging a 2023 directive of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) that bans feeding pigeons at 20 identified locations in the city and imposes a fine of ₹500 on violators.
The directive, issued on March 10, 2023, by PMC’s Chief Medical Officer Dr. Kalpana Baliwant, also ordered the removal of all pigeon shelters in the city. According to the NGO, the order violates constitutional provisions and contradicts Supreme Court judgments on animal welfare.
Background of the Case
The Shashwat Foundation claims it has been following the issue for years and submitted a representation to the PMC Commissioner in March 2025, urging the withdrawal of the order. The Animal Welfare Board of India also wrote to the State Animal Welfare Board and the Animal Husbandry Department, Pune, stating that the directive was not in harmony with the law. The State Board, in turn, wrote to PMC seeking corrective measures.
Despite this, PMC continued to enforce the ban and has collected fines amounting to ₹55,000–₹56,000 from residents feeding pigeons. The NGO alleges that when asked under which law the order was issued, PMC failed to provide a clear legal basis.
With no relief from the authorities, NGO President Ashapurna Ambekar filed a petition before the High Court seeking to quash the order.
High Court Proceedings
The matter came up before a bench of Justice G.S. Kulkarni and Justice Arif S. Doctor on August 7, 2025. The court noted the existence of extensive medical research on the health hazards posed by pigeon droppings but acknowledged its lack of expertise to assess such data.
The bench indicated its intent to hear the Advocate General on appointing an “Expert Committee” comprising representatives from the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), the Animal Welfare Board of India, and other stakeholders to explore alternative solutions.
“In our prima facie opinion, this is the only manner the impasse can be resolved,” the court observed, adjourning the matter to August 13, 2025.
The court also allowed petitioners to apply to the Municipal Commissioner for permission to feed pigeons, directing that a hearing be granted and decisions made keeping public health in mind. Interim orders protecting feeders from penalties will remain in force until the next hearing.
Medical Opinion on Health Risks
The court referred to an expert opinion submitted by Dr. Sujeet K. Rajan, a renowned chest physician, who strongly advocated dismantling open pigeon-feeding grounds. Dr. Rajan highlighted the risk of fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis (fHP) — a progressive and often fatal lung disease linked to prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings.
“We have had instances of teenage children diagnosed with fHP who have sadly succumbed in the past couple of years. Even with anti-fibrotic drugs, we can only slow the disease, never reverse it,” Dr. Rajan stated, urging action within housing societies as well.
Petitioner’s Stand
The petitioner’s counsel, Advocate Harshad Garud, argued that feeding activities cannot be completely stopped. “Culling pigeons is not a solution; they have an inherent right to survive and access food,” he said.
NGO President Ashapurna Ambekar maintained that the issue revolves around cleanliness rather than prohibition. “If PMC ensures proper hygiene in feeding areas, the risk can be minimised. The pigeon population in Pune is far less than in Mumbai,” she said.
Next Steps
The High Court has asked the petitioner to file an interim application with suggestions for regulated feeding. The matter will be taken up high on board on August 13, 2025.
