Birds at Risk: The Growing Concern On Noida’s Roads

Prachi Khandelwal

In a fast-moving city like Noida, life rarely pauses, slows down or takes notice.  During peak office hours there is an omnipresent mad rush to reach office on time. There is fast-moving vehicular traffic on main roads (even on service roads), with drivers on the edge, often dashing hard to beat the next changing traffic signal. In the middle of all this, small lives are rendered insignificant, often ending up as collateral damage.

A pigeon at a roadside feeding site does not understand traffic signals or peak hour rush. The pigeon feeding sites that dot our cityscapes almost always come up organically and randomly. The only thought here, amongst the people who spread bird feed, is to find a place where they can feed the birds, and in the process earn some much-needed good karma. But these deeds, even though well intended, often do not follow the script.

The bird feed often spills over from such roadside bird feeding spots, to the main road, creating a ready recipe for disaster. There is always a chance for a fast-moving vehicle driven by an even slightly distracted driver not to notice these birds, which come on to the main road to feed. In a split second many little lives are lost. For many residents, witnessing such scenes has become a painful reminder of how vulnerable birds are on city roads these days.

On the other hand, such incidents, common as they are, can lead to far graver consequences, where a driver may lose control of his vehicle, as he or she gets startled by the sudden appearance of birds in front. 

The Need for Greater Awareness

Bird lovers across city want this issue to get much more attention than it often gets. Rohan Mehta, who volunteers with local animal feeders, added, “Loving animals is not just about feeding them. It is also about protecting them. If we know birds gather near signals, the least we can do is slow down for a few seconds or be a little more cautious while driving near such stretches.”

The Possible Solutions

Many residents believe that proper guidelines could help reduce such incidents. Creating dedicated pigeon feeding zones away from traffic signals and busy crossroads may be a safer option. Avoiding feeding at intersections, where food spills directly onto the road, could protect both birds and commuters.

Says Mansi Dwivedi, a social media manager working in Noida, “I am an animal lover myself. If I come across any such situation where an animal is stuck or has been hit, I always try to help. I have noticed, people in Noida are generally not very empathetic towards animals or birds. Maybe the government or NGOs should take this matter seriously. They should not only work to spread awareness but also make sure there are proper guidelines which govern setting up of bird feeding sites.”

As Noida continues to expand, discussions around road safety may need to include birds and stray animals too. Developing safe feeding grounds away from heavy traffic can ensure that both pigeons and people stay protected. Sometimes, a little planning and a few seconds of patience can save a life.