Tue Dec 16 17:52:26 UTC 2025: Here’s a summary of the provided text and a rewritten version as a news article:
Summary:
The Health and Family Welfare Department in Bengaluru has requested the Urban Development Department to implement regulations regarding pigeon feeding in public areas. This request comes due to growing concerns about the health risks associated with pigeon droppings and feathers, which can lead to respiratory illnesses. The proposed regulations include prohibiting feeding in nuisance areas, limiting feeding to designated areas with controlled conditions, and assigning maintenance responsibilities to organizations. Violators may face warnings, fines, or prosecution. The department cites legal provisions and powers under various acts that enable corporations to curb the issue and ensure public sanitation. Public awareness campaigns are also planned to educate citizens.
News Article:
Bengaluru Cracks Down on Public Pigeon Feeding Amid Health Concerns
Bengaluru, December 16, 2025 – The Bengaluru Health Department is taking steps to regulate pigeon feeding in public spaces, citing growing health concerns associated with excessive pigeon droppings and feathers. A letter from the Health and Family Welfare Department to the Urban Development Department requests the implementation of strict guidelines across the Greater Bengaluru Authority and all municipal corporations.
The department warns that prolonged exposure to pigeon droppings and feathers can lead to serious respiratory illnesses, including hypersensitivity pneumonitis, potentially causing irreversible lung damage, particularly in vulnerable populations.
The proposed regulations would prohibit pigeon feeding in areas deemed to cause nuisance or health hazards. Designated feeding zones could be established, operating under controlled conditions with limited hours and assigned maintenance responsibilities for charitable organizations or NGOs.
Local authorities will be empowered to issue warnings, fines, or even prosecute individuals violating the new guidelines. The department is also planning a public awareness campaign to educate citizens about the health risks, regulatory provisions, penalties, and alternative humane methods of bird conservation.
The move draws inspiration from similar regulations implemented by the Greater Mumbai Corporation following a Bombay High Court directive. The Health Department cites Sections 270, 271 and 272 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, relating to public nuisance and the spread of dangerous diseases, as well as the Greater Bengaluru Authority Act, 2025, and the Karnataka Municipal Corporations Act, 1976, as legal bases for the new measures. These acts empower civic bodies to prevent the spread of dangerous diseases and ensure public sanitation. The initiative is expected to spark debate among residents, balancing public health concerns with animal welfare considerations.
First Piper 