Wild pigeon numbers steadily dwindling in Lahore

Flocks of pigeon were once a guaranteed spectacle whenever people would pass through the old city

LAHORE:  

The number of wild pigeons, spotted hovering over buildings on and around Mall Road in the depths of the old city of Lahore, is decreasing due to environmental pollution caused by traffic in the area.

Moreover, the Punjab Wildlife Protection Department doesn’t seem to be taking any measures to save these wild pigeons. In Lahore, thousands of wild pigeons have made Istanbul Chowk, Mall Road near Alhamra Hall, Data Darbar, the Jain temple and the Shahi Qila their usual spots.

Flocks of pigeons were a guaranteed spectacle whenever locals would pass through these places, but now their numbers are slowly dwindling. The major reason behind the falling numbers is environmental and noise pollution.

Mohammad Shehbaz, who feeds pigeons at Istanbul Chowk, says he has been doing so for the last several years. However, nowadays when he comes in the morning, he sees one or two dead pigeons on a daily basis. “Earlier, there was not a lot of traffic and noise, but now, both have increased. Pollution is not only creating health problems for human beings, but also for birds,” he says. Shehbaz adds that the number of pigeon deaths increases in the summer.

Mohammad Farooq, a shopkeeper near the Jain temple, which the pigeons frequent, says some people catch the birds and take them home.

“I try to stop people from catching the pigeons, but I am not here 24 hours a day. Many are caught in my absence,” he bemoans.

He adds that he also informed the Punjab Wildlife Protection Department, but they haven’t taken any measures so far. “People catch these birds, slaughter them and feed their meat to those who have suffered strokes or have paralysis.”

According to an official from the Punjab Wildlife Protection Department, wild pigeons are not included in the list of protected animals. Despite this, the department takes action against those who try to catch them. However, pigeons sit at several places in Lahore and monitoring all of them is impossible.