Pune: Novel agitation staged requesting citizens to not feed pigeons
Pune: The Erandwane Sarvajanik Ganeshotsav mandal staged a novel agitation against the proliferation of pigeons in the city.
The agitators humbly requested bird lovers, who feed food grain to pigeons in front of the Shri Ashtabhuja Durgamata Mandir near Baba Bhide Bridge in the river bed. A big flock of pigeons is always seen here.
Mandal President Prashant Velankar demanded that the PMC should install boards warning citizens against feeding pigeons along the river bed.
Velankar said, “We requested bird lovers that they should not feed pigeons to protect health of citizens. We also administered an oath to them that they would never feed pigeons for the sake of people’s health. There is also another reason why pigeons should not be fed. During Dashkriya Vidhi (post-funeral rituals), a crow is supposed to touch the ‘Pind’ (curd rice offering). However, pigeons reach there even before crows could descend.”
Pigeon droppings are harmful and spread viruses. Many people suffer from respiratory tract infections. The civic body has banned feeding pigeons at public places. Penalised action is taken against violators.
