World Sparrow Day | Citizens’ efforts offer hope to revive sparrow population

The diminutive house sparrow or ‘’gubbachi’’ which has all but disappeared from the urban landscape had citizens rooting for it to mark the World Sparrow Day in Mysuru on Sunday.

Besides, traces of evidence of the sparrow population in parts of the city has given hope to naturalists and conservationists who have stepped up their campaign to seek public participation to ensure the safety and revival of the once ubiquitous bird.

While People For Animals (PFA), Mysuru and Jeev Day Jain Charity (JDJC) distributed bamboo water bowls and bird feeder to NGOs and philanthropists, Regional Museum of Natural History and Mysuru Science Foundation conducted a painting contest for children to create greater interest among birds and sparrows in them.

Parisara Snehi Team and KMPK Trust marked the World Sparrow Day with a cycle rally across the city to spread awareness and create public interest in conserving sparrows and providing food and water to these birds.

Mr. V. Yedukondalu, Deputy Conservator of Forests, MM Hills Wildlife Sanctuary, who inaugurated the PFA and JDJC programme said while the larger animals and exotic species like elephants and tigers have their habitat protected and ensures their conservation, sparrows and similar birds in urban areas have little protection and are tethering on the brink of extinction at local levels. But it was heartening to note the revival of the sparrow population in parts of the city including the old market areas, said Mr. Yadukondalu.

He said the near-disappearance of sparrows was an indicator of the disturbance and habitat loss or lack of nesting sites though these birds were still found in large numbers in rural hinterland. Mr. Sumathilalji Pagariya, President, Mysore Pinjrapole Society, Mr. Somashekar, naturalist, Ms. Dilkhush Kothari, President, JDJC were among those present.

Ms. Kokila Ramesh Jain of JDJC who has been spearheading the campaign to revive the sparrow population has been distributing bird houses and feeders since the last few years. She said there was perceptible evidence of the revival of the sparrow population in certain areas where they had not gone extinct altogether. With a little help like ensuring safety, provision of food and water their population can revive as at Devaraja Market, she said.