India’s vibrant urban landscapes pulse with life and tradition, but beneath the bustle, two escalating animal-related crises are challenging the nation’s public health, environment, and social fabric. The dramatic rise in pigeon and stray dog populations across Indian cities is fueling heated debates, pitting cultural compassion against urgent health and ecological concerns.
For decades, families like Bandish Sheth’s in Mumbai have practiced “mercy feeding” of pigeons, a ritual rooted in religious beliefs spanning Jainism, Hinduism, and Islam. “Not a day goes by that we don’t feed them,” Sheth told The Straits Times. For the Sheths, feeding pigeons after temple visits is an act of compassion and a way to pass on cherished values. “We believe that we should not eat without feeding others,” Sheth explained.
Yet, this well-intentioned practice is now at the heart of a growing urban conflict. According to the 2023 State Of India’s Birds report, the population of rock pigeons in India has soared by more than 150 percent since 2000—the highest increase among all bird species whose numbers are rising. Urban environments, with their abundance of nooks and crannies, have become ideal nesting grounds, while a steady supply of grains from compassionate citizens has only accelerated the boom.
The consequences are far-reaching. In Mumbai, doctors have reported a surge in hypersensitivity pneumonitis, a potentially fatal lung disease linked to repeated inhalation of pigeon droppings and feathers. Dr. Lancelot Pinto, a pulmonologist with over 15 years’ experience in the city, told The Straits Times, “A significant proportion of [patients], when asked, will speak about a lot of pigeons being around where they live.” An ongoing study at P.D. Hinduja Hospital found that 77 percent of hypersensitivity pneumonitis patients reported close exposure to pigeons.
Alarmed by the mounting health risks, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) launched a citywide crackdown against illegal pigeon feeding in July 2025, imposing fines on offenders. The crackdown’s most visible flashpoint came at the historic Dadar Kabutarkhana pigeon feeding site, established in 1933. After authorities covered the site with a tarpaulin, violence erupted on August 6, 2025, as protesters removed the cover, leading to clashes with police. Security has since been reinforced, and the BMC is considering allowing feeding for only two hours each morning while the Bombay High Court deliberates petitions on the issue.
Other cities are following suit. Pune’s municipal authorities imposed a 500 rupee fine in December 2024 for public pigeon feeding, while Delhi’s administration is weighing similar restrictions. Individuals have taken matters into their own hands, installing nets and metal spikes to deter pigeons from balconies and air-conditioning units. The divide has grown so sharp that residents sometimes photograph and shame pigeon feeders in neighborhood social media groups.
Beyond health, pigeon overpopulation is damaging old buildings and heritage structures with acidic droppings. The ecological impact is also significant. As Kishor Rithe, director of the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), put it to The Straits Times, “It’s very clear that human activities are responsible for the increase in the population of pigeons. And mercy feeding is one of the main reasons why their population is increasing.” The BNHS’s 2025 documentary spotlights how pigeon carcasses feed omnivorous birds like crows and kites, whose ballooning numbers crowd out smaller species, undermining urban biodiversity.
Yet, for many, the moral imperative to feed helpless creatures remains strong. Mohammed Sarwar, a rickshaw driver in Delhi, regularly feeds pigeons and other animals. On August 13, 2025, he distributed 500 grams of puffed rice at a busy crossing. “These are animals who cannot speak for themselves. If I don’t feed them and you don’t feed them, who will?” Sarwar said, though he acknowledged he would comply if authorities imposed a ban.
Meanwhile, India faces an even graver public health challenge from its soaring stray dog population—estimated at over 60 million, with 35-40 million free-roaming. The Supreme Court recently ordered the removal of stray dogs from the National Capital Region, igniting passionate debate. Dog lovers highlight the companionship and protection these animals offer, but the reality is stark: rabies, almost always fatal once symptoms appear, claims about 20,000 Indian lives annually—one-third of the global total. Over 40 percent of victims are children under 15, and more than 97 percent of cases follow dog bites, according to The Tribune.
The persistence of rabies in India is both a public health and social equity issue, disproportionately impacting the poor and rural communities. Despite longstanding Animal Birth Control (ABC) programs, sterilization coverage rarely exceeds 10-15 percent—far below the 70 percent threshold needed to stabilize populations. The ABC (Dogs) Rules, revised in 2023, mandate humane capture, sterilization, vaccination, and release, but progress has been slow due to limited infrastructure and resources.
Experts stress that mass dog vaccination—covering 70-80 percent of the population annually—is essential to break rabies transmission cycles. Sri Lanka’s recent success in reducing rabies deaths through coordinated health and veterinary efforts offers a model. India’s National Action for Dog Mediated Rabies Elimination aims to achieve rabies elimination by 2030, emphasizing the “One Health” approach that unites civic bodies, animal husbandry, and health sectors.
Yet, cultural practices and poor waste management complicate the challenge. Many households feed stray dogs, boosting survival rates, while uncollected garbage provides abundant food. Public education campaigns now emphasize responsible ownership: neutering, registration, and vaccination. Reducing food availability—by improving solid waste management and enlisting community participation—can help limit stray dog numbers. As The Tribune notes, Western Europe eliminated rabies decades ago through sanitation and civic action.
India’s 2030 rabies elimination goal hinges on political commitment, community engagement, and sustained investment. Establishing high-volume sterilization centers, ensuring vaccine supplies in rural clinics, and adopting oral vaccines for hard-to-reach dogs are among the recommended strategies. Replicating successful practices from Sri Lanka and Europe, and transforming dog care into a community-driven movement, are seen as key to lasting change.
For both pigeons and dogs, the path forward demands balance—respecting cultural compassion while prioritizing public health and ecological integrity. As cities grapple with these intertwined challenges, the solutions will require not just policy shifts, but also a shift in public consciousness, blending tradition with science and civic responsibility.
The stakes are high, but with collaboration and resolve, India’s cities can chart a course toward healthier, more harmonious coexistence with their animal neighbors.
