The article in January Samvada issue, ‘Our Fatal Love for Pigeons’, has evoked concern and response from the readers. The author received few phone calls and messages; some sent emails.
Narinder Singh wrote: I have gone through the contents of your article. Whatever you have explained is a fact. We face this condition every day, from dusk to dawn. I am facing this menace for last many years because a very high tree is present in front of our plot. Every evening, more than 100 pigeons sit on it and every morning we find the whole area spoiled with droppings. We can’t stand under this tree even for half a minute after sunset. We want to get rid of this tree but no one is ready to listen.
Ranjana Manchanda writes: I endorse the views expressed by Mohita Bhansali in ‘Our Fatal Love for Pigeons’. Pigeon droppings are very harmful and can cause respiratory problems in human beings and yet people continue to feed pigeons and are helping them multiply. Their population has increased dramatically and they make balconies, air conditioners in our buildings their homes where they breed. Their droppings pile up and are hard to remove and are the reason why so many people develop lung infections and cough incessantly. Clearly, for the common good, pigeon feeding must be discouraged and they should not be allowed to nest in our balconies!
Bharti Grover’s response: Congratulations for a great article about the menace caused by pigeons, more so in high-rise societies. As rightly stated in the article, these birds are much like flying rats. One of my family members is in pulmonary care; she has cautioned me many times about the extreme damage to lungs caused by these birds, even from a distance, because the germs they spread are air borne
Please do write again ma’m, and this time call people’s attention to the fact that perhaps it was the glamour of Hindi films which may have subconsciously let the people to feed these birds – just like a Hindi film hero trying to impress a prospective alliance by appearing kind.
Would we ever feed the rats? If it is good Karma that we are looking for, then wouldn’t it be a much more suitable option to visit an animal shelter or a senior citizen home and help them instead. We don’t have to wait for Delhi to call out a ban on pigeon feeding and then follow their lead. Let’s strive to be the first!
