Mumbai, Dec. 2 -- The expert committee appointed by the Maharashtra government to study the impact of pigeon feathers and droppings on human health has sought a three-month extension to submit its report. While the committee, appointed in August, was expected to submit its report 30 days after its first meeting, Vijay Kandewad, the director of public health services and head of the panel, told HT that compiling their findings may take longer. "We have requested the state government to give us an extension of three months more than the time given to us earlier," Kandewad said. The 13-member committee was appointed following a direction from the Bombay High Court on August 13. Pigeons have been at the centre of a showdown between those demanding the closure of pigeon feeding sites or kabootarkhanas over health concerns and members of the Jain community who follow the tradition of mercy feeding. The conflict played out starkly in August when the state government ordered the closure of all 51 kabootarkhanas across Mumbai. Hundreds of residents gathered at the Dadar Kabootarkhana and forcefully tore down the tarpaulin covering the site. Sources said it is unlikely the committee will submit its findings to the state government ahead of the upcoming civic polls in Mumbai. Since its appointment, the committee has had several meetings with various stakeholders, including medical experts. Members of the committee have also visited kabootarkhanas, including the one in Dadar and near the General Post Office. The committee members have also interacted with people living near the kabootarkhanas, sources said. The committee is also examining case studies from around the world where pigeon feeding has been an issue. Among the examples from other countries, sources said, the committee's attention was drawn to a method tested in England, in which wooden bird homes were built for pigeons to nest in and the eggs were then relocated to other safe locations. The committee is in the process of consulting with experts and is considering suggestions from various stakeholders, including those on the controlled feeding of the birds. "The process of gathering data and compiling the committee's report is ongoing. The final report of the committee is going to be a bulky one," said Kandewad....