Hyderabad, 23 July
Telangana HC Seeks Report on Steps to Regulate Pigeon Feeding in Hyderabad
The Telangana High Court has directed the state government and civic authorities to submit a detailed affidavit outlining the measures taken to regulate Pigeon Feeding in Hyderabad and Secunderabad. The order came during the hearing of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that raises concerns over the alleged health and environmental hazards caused by the indiscriminate feeding of pigeons in public places across the twin cities.
The High Court observed that the issue of Pigeon Feeding in Hyderabad requires coordinated action from multiple government departments, considering its potential impact on public health, sanitation, and urban infrastructure. The matter has now been posted for further hearing on August 25.
High Court Seeks Status Report From Authorities
A division bench comprising Chief Justice Aparesh Kumar Singh and Justice G.M. Mohiuddin directed several departments to place on record the steps they have taken to address the issue of Pigeon Feeding in Hyderabad.
The court sought responses from:
- Health and Medical Department
- Animal Husbandry Department
- Hyderabad City Police Commissioner
- Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC)
The authorities have been asked to file affidavits explaining the actions taken so far, existing regulations, and any future measures proposed to regulate pigeon feeding in public areas.
The bench noted that the issue involves multiple departments and requires a coordinated response to balance public health concerns with animal welfare considerations.
PIL Raises Public Health Concerns
The Public Interest Litigation was filed by Dr. Radheshyam Tapadia, a resident of Musheerabad, who argued that unchecked Pigeon Feeding in Hyderabad has become a serious civic concern.
According to the petition, pigeons are being fed indiscriminately in residential colonies, hospitals, parks, markets, religious places, and heritage structures across Hyderabad and Secunderabad.
The petitioner contended that the growing pigeon population has resulted in several problems, including:
- Accumulation of bird droppings in public places
- Sanitation and cleanliness issues
- Damage to buildings and heritage structures
- Environmental pollution
- Increased public health risks
The petition argues that without proper regulation, Pigeon Feeding in Hyderabad could continue to affect both residents and public infrastructure.
Representation Submitted Earlier
During the hearing, counsel appearing for the petitioner informed the High Court that a detailed representation had already been submitted to the concerned authorities in compliance with an earlier court direction issued on January 7, 2026.
The representation was addressed to:
- GHMC Commissioner
- Health, Medical and Family Welfare Department
- Directorate of Public Health
- Animal Husbandry Department
According to the petitioner, despite submitting the representation months ago, no concrete action has been taken to regulate Pigeon Feeding in Hyderabad or address the concerns raised in the PIL.
The petitioner therefore requested the court to direct the authorities to implement appropriate measures to prevent indiscriminate pigeon feeding while safeguarding public health.
Court Wants Details of Action Taken
The Telangana High Court has now asked the concerned departments to clearly explain what steps, if any, have already been taken following the earlier representation.
The affidavit is expected to include information on existing policies, enforcement mechanisms, awareness campaigns, and any proposals aimed at regulating Pigeon Feeding in Hyderabad.
The court’s direction indicates that it wants a comprehensive picture of how various departments are addressing the issue rather than isolated responses from individual agencies.
Public Health and Urban Management
The PIL highlights growing concerns over the management of urban wildlife in densely populated cities such as Hyderabad. While feeding birds is considered a charitable act by many residents, experts have often cautioned that uncontrolled feeding at public places may contribute to sanitation issues if not managed properly.
The High Court is not currently deciding whether pigeon feeding should be banned. Instead, it has sought information from the authorities regarding the regulatory framework, if any, and the steps being taken to balance public health, civic cleanliness, environmental protection, and animal welfare.
With the matter scheduled for hearing on August 25, the court will examine the affidavits submitted by the government departments before deciding the next course of action regarding Pigeon Feeding in Hyderabad.