Maharashtra Govt Cracks Down On Pigeon Feeding In Public; Know Health Hazards Of Bird Excreta, Feathers

Maharashtra state government has directed the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to shut down unauthorised kabootar khanas (pigeon feeding areas) across the city, following concerns that these pigeon feeding zones pose serious health risks and encroach on public spaces.

Pigeon droppings can transmit various diseases to humans, primarily through inhalation of dried droppings or contact with contaminated surfaces. These diseases include cryptococcosis, psittacosis, histoplasmosis, salmonellosis, and Hypersensitivity Pneumonia among others. 

As per a report in the daily Mid-Day, acting on the Maharashtra government’s order, the health department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to carry out an extensive awareness campaign across the city. The move is meant to spread awareness about the health hazards of feeding pigeons in public places and open spaces, including Kabutar Khanas across Mumbai.
A report in the Indian Pediatrics journal (https://www.indianpediatrics.net/jan2017/jan-55-57.htm) cites a case where a family continued breeding pigeons without suspicion of the fact that the same had begun to make the children in the family severely ill. 

A 12-year-old girl from the said family, not responding to anti-tubercular and anti-asthma treatment, was diagnosed to be suffering from Hypersensitivity Pneumonia after extensive tests. She was discharged after a 45-day hospitalisation but still could not breathe on her own. She was to recover at home on oxygen support, and was advised avoidance of exposure to pigeons. She could not attend school for the entire year, until recovery.
The report concludes with a warning that: “Early treatment leads to complete reversal in acute and sub-acute hypersensitivity pneumonia. Chronic form may proceed to irreversible lung damage in spite of treatment and avoidance of the offending antigen.”

How serious is the exposure to pigeon droppings. Could even cleaning pigeon feathers or excreta from window sills or balcony expose a person to dangerous pathogens and allergens or factors that trigger autoimmune responses? Here’s what Dr Arjun Khanna, Senior Consultant and Head of Pulmonology, Amrita Hospital Faridabad told ABP Live.

ABP Live: Is contact with pigeons harmful despite no avian flu alerts?

Dr Arjun Khanna: Yes, even without an avian flu outbreak, daily contact with pigeon habitats can cause respiratory issues. Pigeon droppings and feathers contain proteins and fungi (like Cryptococcus and Histoplasma) that can trigger inflammation or infections in the lungs. These risks exist particularly in crowded urban settings like Mumbai where uncontrolled feeding areas increase exposure. So yes, health hazards remain even without zoonotic virus alerts.

ABP Live: Who is at risk of developing severe respiratory disease from pigeons?

Dr Arjun Khanna: The most vulnerable groups are people with weakened immune systems (like transplant recipients or cancer patients), those with chronic lung diseases (like asthma or COPD), the elderly, and occupationally exposed individuals such as sweepers or caretakers of bird zones. Children with allergies or pre-existing respiratory sensitivities may also react strongly. Prolonged or repeated exposure increases the risk of severe lung inflammation or opportunistic infections.

ABP Live: What counts as exposure/contact for respiratory disease transmission?

Dr Arjun Khanna: Risky exposure includes cleaning areas with pigeon droppings, handling feathers, inhaling dust from infested attics, balconies, or feeding zones. Activities such as feeding pigeons daily, living close to kabootar khanas, or disturbing dried droppings during cleaning are particularly dangerous. In such scenarios, fungal spores or bacterial agents can become airborne and inhaled deeply into the lungs, leading to infections or hypersensitive lung reactions.

ABP Live: What precautions should be taken when cleaning or near pigeons?

Dr Arjun Khanna: Always wear an N95 mask and gloves when cleaning pigeon-infested areas. Dampen droppings with water to prevent dust or spores from becoming airborne. Avoid sweeping dry material — use a wet mop or disinfectant and ensure proper ventilation. After cleaning, wash hands and change clothes to avoid cross-contamination.

ABP Live: Can pigeon-related diseases go away on their own?

Dr Arjun Khanna: Some mild exposures may cause temporary flu-like symptoms or allergic coughs that resolve, but many pigeon-related diseases can become chronic or even life-threatening if untreated. For example, Cryptococcosis can lead to severe lung or brain infections, and Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis may progress to lung fibrosis. Early diagnosis and avoidance of further exposure are key to preventing long-term damage.

ABP Live: What are the red-flag symptoms of Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis?

Dr Arjun Khanna: Watch for a persistent dry cough, shortness of breath (especially during exertion), chest tightness, fatigue, or low-grade fever. If these symptoms worsen over days or recur after exposure to birds or dusty environments, they could indicate Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis. Repeated exposure without treatment can cause irreversible scarring of the lungs, so early evaluation by a pulmonologist is critical.

Not just the medical fraternity, the ecologists and conservationists too may have an axe to grind with the explosion of patronage to pigeons. Pigeon overpopulation is a significant factor (apart from a combination of factors, including habitat loss, pesticide use, and electromagnetic radiation) that has contributed to the decline of the sparrow population in urban areas. Once a bird that was synonymous with the chirping heard outside every home, the house sparrow is today a rare species in the urban scape, partly blamed on the blue rock pigeons which have encroached upon the tinier bird’s territory.

health