The Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) health department is planning banning feeding pigeon points in the national capital, citing health reasons.  There are over hundreds of sites where people use to feed pigeons across the capital city. The bird excreta generated by the pigeons is also a cause of multiple diseases. It is estimated that each pigeon is estimated to create 11.5 kilograms of excreta every year. Being acidic in nature, it also causes damage to buildings and monuments through acidic saltpetre, besides spreading salmonella germs.

While these are a surreal site to watch for onlookers and passerby, a senior official from the health department of the MCD said that they are evaluating the health risks theses sites put to those who are in close proximity and exposed to the flock of birds.

He also added that while this plan is still in a nascent stage, final decisions to go ahead with a proposal to do so will only be made when there are enough clinical reports on these.

 Across the national Capital, there are approximately 100 sites like these on streets of Delhi where one can feed these pigeons, especially in Old Delhi area, including areas in Shantivan, Laxmi nagar, CR Park, Daryaganj, Old Delhi Railway Station, Seemapuri, Hasanpur depot, kalkaji and Connaught Place to name a few.< “Nothing is final as of yet and things are still in a very early stage. We are looking at the health risks that these gathering of birds at one place pose to those who are living nearby,” the officer added.

 An official elaborated, “The risk doesn’t happen from some birds, it occurs when many of them are gathered in one area. When they are fed in one place in large numbers, their droppings also accumulate there. Now the people who come to feed them are at a lesser risk, however elderly and frequent visitors need to be precautious. Along with that there are vendors selling dana nearby. There are also caretakers for these birds in the Old Delhi area who are at high risk. Hence, we are evaluating the situation.”

Officials fear that these sites can become breeding grounds for diseases like fungal infection, Salmonella, E. Coli, Influenza, Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis, and can exacerbate respiratory conditions like asthma.

Although, another official said, “However, nothing substantial has been proved and unless experts suggest the same, we won’t implement it on the ground.”

Earlier too such a plan was proposed, however, it was not implemented after backlash was received by experts and animal lovers.