HC seeks GHMC reply on PIL to regulate pigeon feeding in Hyderabad

The Telangana High Court has sought responses from the GHMC and other departments on a PIL demanding regulation of pigeon feeding in Hyderabad. The petitioner argued that unchecked feeding has led to health hazards, pollution, and damage to heritage structures.

By Our Legal Correspondent

Hyderabad: A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin of the Telangana High Court on Wednesday sought responses from the GHMC on a PIL seeking regulation of pigeon feeding in Hyderabad.

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The PIL was filed by Dr. Radheshyam Tapadia seeking directions to the GHMC to frame and implement guidelines under Section 115(20) of the GHMC Act, 1955, to regulate pigeon feeding, particularly in residential colonies, hospitals and heritage monuments. 

The petitioner also sought directions to the municipal authorities to regularly clean public spaces affected by pigeon droppings, impose penalties for unauthorised pigeon feeding, adopt humane measures to control the pigeon population and launch public awareness campaigns on the health hazards associated with the practice. 

Counsel for the petitioner, Deepak Misra, contended that despite the statutory power vested in the GHMC under Section 115(20) of the GHMC Act to regulate birds causing nuisance, no guidelines had been framed to address the growing menace of indiscriminate pigeon feeding in the city. It was submitted that the unchecked congregation of pigeons had resulted in the spread of zoonotic diseases, environmental pollution and damage to public infrastructure and heritage structures. 

Counsel further submitted that several cities in India had already introduced measures to regulate pigeon feeding and that similar action was required in Hyderabad in the larger public interest. 

After hearing the petitioner, the Division Bench issued notices to the Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation, the Health, Medical and Family Welfare Department, the Directorate of Public Health and the Animal Husbandry Department, calling upon them to file their responses in the PIL.