Any talk of him being a bird-hater is strictly for the birds, clarified Navalkar. Rather, he says, the move has more to do with the several hawkers dotting the promenade. ``The hawkers at Marine Drive have made it their business to sell grains so that people can feed the pigeons. The situation went so out of hand that joggers and citizens out on their morning walks had complained to me about the nuisance. The birds had even begun obstructing speeding traffic. Which is why I asked the police to prevent people from feeding the pigeons at the Queen's Necklace,'' Navalkar explained.

But when this move had thehackles of animal activists up, a consensus was reached: bird feeding stays, but only at select spots.

Navalkar told Express Newsline that he had been inspired by a similar move initiated at the historic Trafalgar Square in London. ``A few years ago, the British government had tried to ban pigeons from Trafalgar Square after it was noticed that the birds were more of a nuisance than an attraction,'' said Navalkar. ``And with three of the oldest kabootar khanas already existing at Fort, Bhuleshwar and Dadar, why do we need more of such spots?'' he argued.

Bristled animal rights activist Dr Satnam Ahuja, ``Why doesn't Navalkar stop urchins from relieving themselves on the rocks at Marine Drive? When we had conducted a signature campaign in the past, everyone said they have no problem with the pigeons; they only wanted to get rid of the foul smell emanating from the rocks.''

Dr Satnam Ahuja, though, added that she was satisfied with the new compromise. ``At least the pigeons can still remainon Marine Drive. In fact, being a homeopath doctor I know that intermingling with pigeons can be good for your asthma,'' she informed.

Navalkar disagreed. ``I believe that some people are allergic to a substance released from pigeon feathers leading to asthmatic problems. And if others are so fond of pigeons, why don't they feed them in their own buildings? Why come to Marine Drive and disturb the traffic?'' he queried.

Commented Simarjeet Baweja, a pigeon lover, ``In that case, the state should ban automobiles for creating air pollution. The government should deal with more serious issues such as increasing crimes against women.'' But of course, for the honourable minister, issues of birds and bees, literally and metaphorically, are more pressing issues.