Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has asked the Brihanmumbai Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to shut famous Kabutarkhana (pigeon house) in Dadar in central Mumbai, terming it a "health hazard".
Maharashtra Navnirman Sena has asked the Brihanmumbai Mumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to shut famous Kabutarkhana (pigeon house) in Dadar in central Mumbai, terming it a "health hazard".
In his letter to the BMC commissioner Ajoy Mehta, MNS leader Sandip Deshpande has stated that several residents of Dadar area, especially children and the elderly, have developed respiratory problems because of pigeons.
"People residing in the vicinity of the Kabutarkhana have complained that they are suffering from respiratory problems and asthma due to pigeon feathers. The civic body has failed to take any action against the menace of pigeons in the city. We therefore request you to shut the Kabutarkhana at Dadar," he stated.
The kabutarkhana, a heritage structure, was initially built as a water fountain in 1933, but eventually turned into a pigeon shelter as nearby residents started feeding the birds.
However, a BJP legislator has opposed the MNS' demand.
"I don't think people are getting respiratory problems because of feeding pigeons. Kabutarkhanas are inseparable parts of the city's history and culture. It is also a question of sentiments as some communities feed pigeons as their duty," said BJP legislator Raj Purohit.
The demand for closure of the kabutarkhana is being also opposed by an activist Rajiv Singal who jointly runs a charitable hospital in a suburb.
"This is completely unacceptable. Instead, we demand more and more bird shelters be opened not only in Mumbai, but in all cities and towns of the country," he said.
When contacted, a senior BMC official said they have coming across such a demand for the first time.
"Nevertheless, anything can be said only after going through the merits of the complaint," he said.
(This article has not been edited by DNA's editorial team and is auto-generated from an agency feed.)
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