HC Seeks Affidavit On Pigeon Feeding Regulation
The counsels argued that the state government and the GHMC have failed to exercise their statutory powers under Section 115(20) of the GHMC Act to regulate pigeon feeding and prevent health and environmental hazards arising from the unchecked increase in pigeon populations.
HYDERABAD: The Telangana High Court has directed the state government and civic authorities to file an affidavit detailing the measures taken to regulate pigeon feeding in Hyderabad and Secunderabad, while hearing a PIL alleging that indiscriminate feeding of pigeons has become a significant public health and environmental concern.
The division bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin directed the state authorities, including the health and medical department, animal husbandry, city commissioner of police and GHMC, to place on record the concrete steps taken to curb pigeon feeding in various parts of the twin cities. The matter was adjourned for further hearing on August 25, 2026.
The PIL was filed by Dr Radheshyam Tapadia, a resident of Musheerabad, Hyderabad, who contends that unchecked feeding of pigeons in residential colonies, hospitals, public places and heritage structures has resulted in serious sanitation, environmental and public health issues.
Deepak Misra and Mayur Mundra, counsels for the petitioner, informed the court that the petitioner had complied with the directions issued by the High Court in its order dated January 7, 2026, by submitting a detailed representation to the commissioner of GHMC, the health, medical and family welfare department, the directorate of public health and the animal husbandry department. However, despite the representation, no action has been taken by the authorities to date.
The counsels argued that the state government and the GHMC have failed to exercise their statutory powers under Section 115(20) of the GHMC Act to regulate pigeon feeding and prevent health and environmental hazards arising from the unchecked increase in pigeon populations. The petition also invokes Section 2 of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897, contending that the absence of regulatory measures poses a threat to public health.
The petitioner has also sought directions to the municipal authorities to regularly clean public spaces affected by pigeon droppings, impose penalties on persons engaging in unauthorised pigeon feeding, and ensure compliance with the environmental protection principles laid down by the Supreme Court in Virender Gaur vs State of Haryana.
