Feeding birds, often seen as harmless and even an act of kindness, can carry serious legal consequences in some countries. Case in point? A 71-year-old woman of Indian origin in Singapore was fined heavily for feeding pigeons, an offence she had reportedly committed before as well. Here’s more about this.
Indian-Origin Woman Fined For Feeding Pigeons In Singapore
According to News18, Sanmugamnathan Shamla, a Singapore resident of Indian origin, had been regularly feeding pigeons in the Toa Payoh housing estate. On February 4, she was fined SGD 3,200 (₹2,26,000 approx.), as feeding pigeons is illegal under Singapore’s Wildlife Act.
She reportedly pleaded guilty to all charges. Authorities noted that she had fed pigeons nine times over a span of nearly six months and had been fined earlier as well, despite assuring officials she would not repeat the offence. The Singapore court also revealed that she was fined SGD 1,200 (₹85,243) in May 2025 for illegally feeding birds near her apartment. Reports further stated that she disrupted a National Parks Board (NParks) pigeon-trapping exercise and continued feeding pigeons between July 2025 and January 2026.
Also Read: What Is Singapore’s 2026 ‘No-Boarding Rule’ & How Will It Impact Indian Flyers?
What Does Singapore’s Law Say?
Under the Wildlife Act, it is illegal to feed birds like pigeons in Singapore, and one can be heavily fined for disobeying this rule. Reports suggest that offenders can face fines of up to SGD 5,000 (₹3,55,036) for a first-time conviction and up to SGD 10,000 (₹9,04,196) if they are repeat offenders. This is because feeding birds can attract pests, cause overpopulation, and even spread diseases. So, to prevent public health risks and manage cleanliness, Singapore has banned feeding pigeons and imposed heavy fines for the same.
Also Read: Singapore Envoy In Delhi Enjoys Winter Rain Like A Desi With Garma Garam Chai & Pakoda!
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Cover Image Courtesy: Canva Pro/Vecteezy Images (representative image)
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