Mysuru: In a consultative meeting held on Sunday, members of the Jain Samaj agreed to stop feeding pigeons at the North gate of Mysuru Palace to address the growing concern of the pigeon menace. The meeting, led by Mysore-Kodagu MP Yaduveer Krishnadatta Chamaraja Wadiyar, also included government officials, stakeholders, and the public.
MP Yaduveer emphasized the need for a legal framework to prevent the public from feeding pigeons, highlighting concerns for both the preservation of heritage structures and public health. He explained that pigeon droppings contain uric acid, which can damage rare marble statues like those of Chamaraja and Krishnaraja, and also pose health risks to local vendors, drivers, and municipal workers who regularly clean the affected areas.
Yaduveer added that since becoming an MP, he has received complaints about the issue, including from his mother, Pramoda Devi Wadiyar. He stressed that the government would ultimately bear the cost of repairs to heritage sites and addressing the related public health issues, urging citizens to take responsibility and participate in finding a democratic solution.
Prashanth B.S. from the Mysuru Travel Agents Association pointed out that Mysuru’s economy is heavily reliant on tourism, with the Palace being a major attraction. Protecting heritage structures is essential not only for tourism but also for the livelihoods of many Mysureans, he said, suggesting that those who wish to feed pigeons could do so at home or in designated places like Pinjrapole.
N.S. Rangaraju, a member of the Mysore Heritage Experts Committee, revealed that the problem extends beyond the pigeons themselves, noting a survey conducted with the Mysore City Corporation (MCC) had found over 100 rodent holes around important statues, such as those of Chamaraja and K.R. The rodents are thriving by feeding on the pigeons, further contributing to the damage to these heritage spots. MCC has been spraying water to clean pigeon droppings from statues in an effort to prevent further harm.
BJP SC Morcha President Raghu Kautilya announced that if the public does not voluntarily stop feeding pigeons within a month, they would launch a movement under the banner “Save Palace, Protect Mysuru.”
MCC Commissioner Ashad Ur Rehman Sharieff stated that while the MCC cannot immediately implement a resolution prohibiting feeding pigeons or impose fines, it will launch awareness campaigns among locals and tourists. Authorities will engage their staff to educate people about the issue.
President of Mysore Grahakara Parishat, Bhamy V Shenoy, proposed leveraging constitutional rights related to public health and environmental protection to prevent pigeon feeding, without waiting for specific regulations.
Former MLA L Nagendra also pledged to engage the Jain community in ensuring that pigeon feeding at Mysuru Palace is halted.
Environmental expert A.S. Pradeep emphasized that the pigeons at Mysuru Palace are Indian Blue pigeons, which fall under the Wildlife Conservation Act. He noted that these pigeons do not rely on public feeding, similar to wild animals, and urged forest officials to intervene.
DCF (Territorial), Mysuru Division K.N. Basavaraju, said they would assess the pigeon species inhabiting heritage sites, and if they are classified as wild, efforts will be made to prevent public feeding.