Special initiatives launched for housing sparrows

Sparrows that used to make nests in people’s lofts and were regularly fed with grain and clean water, are now struggling to find spaces in Mumbai to build their nests.

With a view to drawing the attention of government agencies and the scientific community for more conservation measures and research on common bird species and urban biodiversity, World House Sparrow Day has been organised on March 20. The day is an international initiative by Nature Forever Society, in collaboration with Bombay Natural History Society, Cornell Lab of Ornithology (USA), Eco-Sys Action Foundation (France) Avon Wildlife Trust (UK) and numerous other national and international organisations across the world.

Modern architecture and shrinking gardens and parklands have rendered sparrows homeless, as they like to nest in nooks and crannies. Meanwhile, use of pesticides has killed off the bugs the bird feeds its young with.

Last year, concerned about the dwindling number of sparrows, the BMC had decided to put up special sparrow shelters in its gardens across the city.

“We have at least 300 gardens across the city. We can start by putting up at least four such shelters in each garden. These will allow the sparrows to breed,” said a BMC official.