Mumbai’s Pigeon Poop Controversy: Health Hazards & Kabutarkhana Ban!

Discover the hidden health risks of the seemingly harmless pigeon! Once a symbol of love, pigeon droppings are now sparking a war between city dwellers and experts, causing conditions like Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis, Cryptococcal Meningitis, and Psittacosis. In Mumbai, the iconic Kabutarkhana feeding stations face a ban after a Bombay High Court order on July 31, 2025, due to respiratory hazards and heritage damage, igniting protests from the Jain community. Dr. Samir Garde shares insights on symptoms like breathlessness and fatigue, plus precautions: avoid direct contact with droppings, wear masks and gloves, wet-sweep droppings, install mesh screens, block nesting spots, and keep food out of reach. Learn how feeding pigeons disrupts their natural role and escalates health risks.