Putting Pigeons on the Pill

Ghosalkar says the city’s corporators could undertake a study tour to these countries if necessary. According to him, despite the lifespan of urban pigeons being around two to three years, just five mating pairs can produce as many as 400 pigeons in two years.

“Pigeons have all sorts of organisms in them,” he says, explaining the rationale, “They are not hunted by any other birds. Besides, their droppings are harmful and cause respiratory problems. Pigeons suffer from diseases which are contagious and spread to human beings.”

What works in favour of such a proposal is that it is non-lethal in nature. Jussabai Gehlot, who feeds pigeons at a kabutarkhana close to the city’s Dadar railway station, says, “If it does not harm the birds, I support it. Yes, the pigeon population has increased a lot. My religion asks me to feed pigeons, so I do it.” The proposal has found the support of several corporators and will now be taken up by other departments for closer scrutiny.