In a significant move to address growing civic concerns, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has officially prohibited the feeding of birds and animals across the iconic Sabarmati Riverfront and its surrounding areas. This decision comes after numerous complaints from the public about littering and deteriorating hygiene conditions caused by discarded food and grain.
Enforcement and Penalties Under Health Bylaws
To ensure the ban is effective, the AMC has formed a dedicated 10-member task force. This team includes officials from the Sabarmati Riverfront Project and the local police inspector. Their primary role is to identify and dismantle popular feeding spots along the riverfront.
Officials have clarified that enforcement drives will be conducted regularly. Those found violating the prohibition will be penalized under the AMC's Public Health Bylaws, 2012. According to an anonymous AMC official, Section 50.1(7) of the bylaw explicitly bans feeding birds or animals in public places. The prescribed penalty for this offence is a fine of Rs 100, plus administrative charges.
A Long-Standing Issue and Renewed Crackdown
Another civic official admitted that weak enforcement in the past allowed the problem to escalate. Although the legal framework has existed for over a decade, the solid waste management department did not implement the rules strictly. This led to a proliferation of bird-feeding spots across Ahmedabad.
The current crackdown follows high-level directives issued in July 2024. During a review meeting, the then Municipal Commissioner, M Thennarasan, instructed officials to map nuisance spots and prepare plans to shut them down. Deputy municipal commissioners of all zones were tasked with this mapping exercise, though concrete action was delayed until now.
Citywide Expansion and Future Plans
The initial focus is the Sabarmati Riverfront, but AMC officials confirm the ban will be expanded in phases to cover the entire city. "After the riverfront, similar restrictions will be imposed at other public places across Ahmedabad," stated an official.
The civic body is also taking a broader view. "Dog feeding in public places is also banned now. In the next phase, dog-feeding spots will be identified across the city, followed by a public notice, after which strict enforcement will begin," the official added. Furthermore, the AMC is considering increasing the penalty amount for such violations to act as a stronger deterrent.
This renewed action marks a shift from goodwill gestures to structured civic management, aiming to balance compassion for animals with the responsibility of maintaining public cleanliness and hygiene in Ahmedabad's premier urban spaces.
