Shun feeding birds in public squares: Muscat Municipality

Muscat: Feeding birds in public squares leaves behind grains and food residue which is coming in the way of Muscat Municipality’s efforts to improve public and environmental health and the aesthetic appearance of the city.

The municipality says the left-over grains and food residue gets mixed up with birds’ waste, rots and then emits a foul and nauseating stench preventing people from spending their time outdoors or engaging in sporting activities in public squares.

Besides, spreading grains and food remains on walkways or sidewalks for the purpose of feeding birds becomes a perfect environment for breeding of insects, worms and parasites which, in turn, causes an additional burden on the waste sector personnel, the municipality says.

Further, birds usually build their nests in the vicinity of areas where they get their food, particularly nearby buildings or balconies and lobbies, air conditioners and communications devices where their droppings destroy anything that they come in contact with, including steel, iron or wood.

Thousands of pigeons can be seen squatting on the roadside along the wadi in Ruwi area with people feeding food grains to them every day.

When asked about his opinion, a person living in the vicinity said that foul smell pervades the air round-the clock and one cannot pass the area without putting a handkerchief on their nose.

The entire area looks dirty with rotting food grains and pigeon droppings. Another park in Muttrah also looks filthy due to bird droppings and food leftovers.

Rakesh Ranjan, an expatriate, who lives in the nearby apartment, said, “Whenever I go for a morning walk in this park, I have to hold my breath while crossing this stretch. Look, how dirty this location looks with bird droppings spread around. This feeding of birds in open space is unhygienic and should be stopped immediately. This has become a menace in the city.”