Mumbai: The state-appointed committee to study the impact of pigeons on human health will have two new members, bringing the total number of members to 14.

The new members are Dr. Atul Shah, trustee of the Shree Vardhman Pariwar, and Dr. Aneesh Andheria, president and chief executive officer of the NGO Wildlife Conservation Trust.

The 12-member committee, formed on August 22, included a provision to add experts or additional members. After reviewing submissions for new appointments, the committee approved the inclusion of Dr. Shah and Dr. Andheria, according to a government resolution (GR) issued by the Urban Development Department (UDD) on Thursday.

The committee has been asked to submit its report within 30 days of its first meeting. Since the first meeting was held on August 29, the committee is expected to submit its report by the end of this month, unless an extension is sought.

The issue of pigeon feeding has become controversial after the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) decided to close the kabutarkhana in Dadar following directives given by the Bombay High Court (HC), which was hearing three petitions on the matter.

After widespread protests, the BMC’s action was halted. However, the HC refused to stop action against pigeon feeding and asked the state government to appoint a committee to study the impact on human health.

The state-appointed committee, headed by Dr. Vijay Kandewad, director of public health services, includes doctors and state government officers, as well as veterinarians and professors from medical colleges.

Meanwhile, a statement by Skill Development Minister Mangal Prabhat Lodha while inaugurating a kabutarkhana in Borivali has sparked reactions. He suggested that each ward in Mumbai should have one kabutarkhana. His statement received strong responses from the NGO Mi Girgaonkar and the Marathi Ekikaran Samiti.

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