Keypoints:
- After Maneka Gandhi’s intervention, BMC withdraws no-feeding policy for animals in the locality.
- Say no to feeding animals-that’s the message the BMC wanted to send to its city-dwellers through the notices put up across the city.
- BMC removed the boards that restricted people from feeding animals after complaints by animal lovers and activists.
BMC wants to send a message through notices put up across the city to the city dwellers stating that ‘say no to feeding animals’.Complaints from some animal lovers and rights activists last week has now led the civic body to remove these notice boards that warned citizens of penal action if found feeding strays in public places. Activists, too, had taken this up with MP Maneka Gandhi alleging that the BMC was overriding the constitutional rights of citizens.
The notices saying no to feeding animals were installed by the Solid West Management department of the BMC, citing provisions under the BMC Act. One such controversial signboard put by the K-West ward at the Balasaheb Deoras Marg in Andheri West stated that feeding animals and birds like pigeons, cats, dogs, horses and cows was prohibited, and an offense that could attract fines up to Rs 500 under the Greater Mumbai Cleanliness and Sanitation Bye-laws.
When a local posted pictures of the boards on a Whatsapp group, some group members wrote to MP Maneka Gandhi about it who they said intervened in the matter. “Apart from the BMC, the Panvel and Thane civic bodies too had put up similar banners saying no to feeding birds. Our NGO will fight against such orders,” said a member of People of Animals.
This notices were placed by the Solid West Management of the Municipal Corporation. There is a provision under the BMC Act to fine those littering on the roads. Feeding animals is not an offence but feeding them in a public place and then leaving the litter behind is restricted,” said civic official Dr Yogesh Shetty, who has the charge of General Manager, Deonar Abattoir.
The boards say organisms in pigeon faeces cause hypersensitive pneumonia, with such cases increasing in Mumbai as well. The boards also state that people with pre-existing lung conditions are 60-65 per cent more likely to fall prey to hypersensitive pneumonia. Similar boards have previously been seen in Vasai-Virar as well as Panvel.
Speaking on the issue, Naresh Mhaske said the step was taken based on complaints by residents. “Many nakas and street sides have become feeding points for pigeons. It is scientifically established how many diseases pigeons cause, so this seemed like the right thing to do,” he said.
The mayor also said this is not a blanket order, and that there is no restriction on feeding pigeons inside public gardens and other places.
Last April, when the Vasai Virar Municipal Corporation had taken the same initiative, Animal Welfare Board of India had intervened. The VVMC had to roll back the penalty.
