India, July 7 -- The Maharashtra government ordered the BMC to shut down kabootar khanas aka the pigeon-feeding spots in Mumbai, citing health hazards arising out of their droppings. The BMC is cracking down on the 51 kabutar khanas, starting with Dadar's iconic spot. It will reportedly be replaced with traffic islands and Miyawaki-style gardens. Dr (Col) SP Rai, pulmonary medicine and sleep medicine specialist, Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital, Mumbai, says, "People think feeding pigeons is an act of kindness, but their droppings and feathers are carriers of bacteria that can damage the lungs. Pigeons tend to remain in spaces they are regularly fed, causing an accumulation of bird poop. When dry, it mixes with air and triggers asthma, COPD or bronchitis." It causes Hypersensitive Pneumonitis too. "It's a type of disease that causes scarring in the lungs. Those affected can require oxygen support or even a lung transplant," says Dr Abhijit Ahuja, consultant pulmonologist, Saifee Hospital, Mumbai....