For Pigeon-Feeding Tourists, Nepal might Be the Best Stop (Video)

Birat Anupam

Pigeon feeding has been banned in many parts of the world. From Asia’s Singapore to the Europe’s Vanice, it is is banned with some fines. For instance, it is prohibited in Vanish’s Palazzo Cavalli since 2007. If tourists feed pigeon on the historic center, they are liable a fine of 50 Euros, a penalty that was introduced from 2008.

In City State of Singapore, pigeon-feeding is restricted with higher monetary charges. According to the information posted online by Singapore’s Ministry of National Development, one feeding pigeon will be fined up to 10,000 American dollars. The ministry said the fined is imposed ‘under the Animals and Birds (Pigeons) Rules’.  

Even in Nepal’s southern neighbor India, pigeon feeding has been a controversial topic. On August this year, court-banned pigeon feeding in Mumbai, generated both public outrage and support.

If you are in Nepal, you don’t need to worry on any of the above issues. In all natural and cultural heritages sites of Nepal, pigeon feeding is freely practiced. Local vendors sell maize, barleys and other grain items to feed pigeons.

“We have allowed pigeon feeding both for local business and touristic pleasure’’, said a Metropolitan Police Official guarding the iconic Patan Durbar Swquare, the UNESCO-listed World Heritage Site in Lalitpur district of Kathmandu valley. He asked not to be named and added, “Many birds-loving foreigners are happy to see this practice in Patan.”

In Hinduism belief based on Mahabharata scripture, pigeons are symbols of peace, harmony and prosperity.

Not all nations allow pigeon feeding. Still, citizens of those nations are not happy on the move. They love to see pigeon feeding being freely practiced in nations like Nepal.

Tourists from Western world see pigeon feeding as an expression of kindness. John Rhinehart, an American tourist visiting Patan Durbar Square said he loved pigeon feeding.

The emblem of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the regional South Asian grouping of eight countries, includes pigeons. 

“Pigeon feeding is a kind and human thing to do. As an animal lover, specifically bird lover, no pigeon cause bis mess. On the other hand, this is the place that concentrates pigeons, you feed them here. They stay here’’, said Rhinehart who is also the Honorary Aide De Camp of the Governor of the Commonwealth of Kentucky.

In South Asia, pigeon is not only part of cultural and religious roots of the region. It is equally an integral part of the common diplomatic domain of the Indian Subcontinent.  

The emblem of South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), the regional South Asian grouping of eight countries, includes pigeons. That indicates regional embrace of the bird not only on cultural terms but also on diplomatic domain in South Asia.

Interestingly, the artist who was selected for the competitive emblem for the regional body happens to be from Nepal. He is Shailendra Kumar Maharjan. Maybe the artist picked the emblem partly owing to the love and affection of pigeons by Nepalis.

Therefore, if you are pigeon feeders and eager to travel Nepal next time, include pigeon feeding in your leisure ternary of the Kathmandu valley which hosts seven UNESC0 sites namely Kathmandu Durbar Square, Patan Durbar Square, Bhaktapur Durbar Square, Swayambhu stupa, Baudhanath stupa, Pashupatinath temple and Changu Narayan temple.