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Hyderabad: Health officials in Hyderabad have urged the public to avoid contact with pigeons amid growing health hazards that could be caused by the bird.

The advisory comes after activists in the city raised concerns over pigeon menace at public places including railway stations, metro stations, parks etc. Scientific research papers suggest that pigeons are carriers of zootonic diseases (which are transmitted to human beings).

Zootonic diseases include illnesses associated with bacteria, viruses, endo and ectoparasites, fungi and protozoa. Many of these diseases can lead to debilitating and life-threatening ailments. Such diseases are either airborne or transmitted through alimentary routes.

According to report by Innolytics, a US based company which focuses on birth control for birds, pigeons can cause disease which are transmitted in a specific set of conditions.  “Immune compromised patients, children, and the elderly are at more risk than a normal healthy person,” the report said.

In Hyderabad, some places including the Nampally railway station, Nampally Metro Station and the Musallam Jung Bridge are hotspots where pigeons are found in large numbers. Siasat.com reached out to the public to understand whether people are aware of health hazards caused due to pigeons.

“I don’t see an issue with pigeons, I feed them once in a while before taking the metro,” Shankar, a regular commuter through the Nampally Metro station, told Siasat.com. It is to be noted that the staff at the Metro station which is mostly busy cleaning, has raised concerns over pigeon droppings.

“Most of the time, we are busy cleaning pigeon droppings which are found on railings of the staircases. It defaces the station and makes the premises stinky,” said one of the staffers at the metro station.

Some passengers and auto drivers arriving at the Nampally railway station were seen feeding pedions. Sai Kumar, an auto driver said, “There are a lot of people who feed pigeons here. I do that too once in a while.” However, there seemed to be no other reason apart from that for him.

Asked whether he has experienced any health issues due to the pigeons on the station’s premises, Kumar said that he hasn’t experienced any difficulty as such. Ajay Yadav, a passenger who was departing the station, was seen feeding pigeons. “I just feed pigeons out of love and nothing else,” he said. It must be noted that there exists a nation among some that feeding pigeons can bring good luck.

At the Mussalm Jung Bridge in the Old City, visitors and hawkers were seen feeding pigeons. It is to be noted that a large number of pigeons flock to the bridge throughout the day. Ali Ahmed who was at the bridge with his family said, “I just wanted to show pigeons to my son. We stopped by for him to spend some time.”

Asked if he was aware of the health hazards caused by pigeons, Ahmed said he wasn’t really concerned about it since he was there for a short while. Prem Kumar, who visited the spot along with his family said, “I got my child here just to spend some time and take a few pictures. We fed a few pigeons.”

Saleem Shaikh, a chana vendor who has been visiting the bridge for the past 20 years to sell the gram said, ” I have been coming here for the past two decades, I have seen most people spend some time feeding the pigeons and leave.” Asked if he has experienced any health issue due to the pigeons, Shaikh said, “No, I don’t have any infection as of now, what can pigeons do?”

Another visitor, Padma Devi, was seen placing grains dor pigeons at the corner of the bridge. Asked if she does it for religious reasons, Devi said, ” There is no religious pupose to it, I feed them out of love and it makes me happy.”

Most people vising the Musallam Jung bridge came with families and indulged in photography sessions.

Doctors advise avoiding pigeons

Speaking to Siasat.com, Hyderabad District Medical Health Officer (DMHO) Venkat Jummidi said that pigeons cause health hazards such as respiratory issues. He advised the public to avoid contact with pigeons.

“Pigeon droppings cause bronchitis and respiratory issues. People must refrain from feeding pigeons,” he said. The DMHO suggested people to prevent the pigeons from entering their houses by covering windows using meshes.

Elaborating on health hazards caused by pigeons, Hyderabad-based neurologist Dr Sudhir Kumar said, “Pigeon droppings contain fungi and bacteria that can cause serious respiratory illnesses like histoplasmosis, cryptococcosis, and psittacosis. One of the lesser-known conditions linked to chronic exposure is ‘Pigeon Breeder’s Lungs’.

Kumar further explained that a hypersensitivity reaction that can lead to severe lung inflammation.
Moreover, the presence of parasites like mites and ticks in pigeon nests can further exacerbate health risks, especially for the elderly, children, and people with compromised immunity.

Religious and Cultural Roots

Speaking of religious and cultural angle associated with pegion feeding, the neurologist said that feeding pigeons has deep cultural and religious roots in India. Many Hindus consider it an act of charity (daan), especially during specific days like Saturdays or the lunar fortnight of Shraddha. In some Jain and Sufi traditions, feeding birds symbolizes compassion and spiritual merit.

“However, this practice, when done indiscriminately in public spaces, leads to overpopulation and dependency among pigeons, upsetting urban biodiversity,” he added.

Bombay High Court’s order

The concern over pigeons has surged in Hyderabad after the Bombay High Court issued stopped the Brihan Mumbai Corporation (BMC) from demolishing “Kabutar Khanas” in Mumbai amid growing health concerns.

While restraining the BMC from demolishing the Kabootar Khanas. the court has also restricted the twice-daily feeding of pigeons, as requested by the petitioners, citing the BMC’s concern for public health