Karnataka To Ban Pigeon Feeding In Public Places Amid Rising Respiratory Health Concerns

Last Updated:December 17, 2025, 14:39 IST

The accumulation of pigeon droppings and feathers has been linked to severe respiratory illnesses, including hypersensitivity pneumonitis.

According to the proposed guidelines, a blanket ban will be imposed on feeding pigeons in any area that may cause a "nuisance or health hazard to the public".

The Karnataka Health Department has moved to strictly regulate and prohibit the feeding of pigeons in public places across the state, citing serious health risks and public nuisance. In a formal communication dated December 16, 2025, the Health and Family Welfare Department urged the Urban Development Department to issue immediate directives to the Greater Bengaluru Authority (GBA) and all municipal corporations to enforce new restrictive guidelines.

The move comes after medical experts flagged “uncontrolled feeding of pigeons" as a primary cause for large congregations of birds in urban areas. The resulting accumulation of droppings and feathers has been linked to severe respiratory illnesses, including hypersensitivity pneumonitis. The department warned that prolonged exposure can lead to “severe and sometimes irreversible lung damage", posing a significant threat to vulnerable groups such as children, the elderly, and those with pre-existing respiratory conditions.

According to the proposed guidelines, a blanket ban will be imposed on feeding pigeons in any area that may cause a “nuisance or health hazard to the public". Feeding will only be permitted in specific “designated areas" selected in consultation with stakeholders. These zones will operate under strict conditions: they must be maintained by NGOs or charitable organisations, and feeding will be restricted to “limited hours in the day".

The government is prepared to take a hard line against violators. Authorised officers will be empowered to issue on-the-spot warnings and impose fines. Furthermore, the letter states that authorities may “lodge complaints to prosecute under section 271 and 272 of Bharathiya Nyaya Sanhita 2023". Under Section 271, negligent acts likely to spread an infection dangerous to life can carry a penalty of up to six months in prison, while Section 272, dealing with malignant acts, carries a potential sentence of up to two years.

“The local authority shall conduct public awareness campaigns, explaining the health hazards associated with pigeon droppings and feathers," the note reads, emphasising the need for alternative, humane methods of bird conservation that do not endanger public health.

This regulatory shift mirrors measures already taken by the Mumbai Corporation following directions from the High Court of Bombay earlier this year.

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