The friendly chirp on the window sill will soon be a sight for sore eyes in Mumbai, as the innocuous sparrow is being wiped out from the urban jungle. ‘A sparrow is to the city what a tiger is to the forest’ can best sum up today’s situation, signifying how sparrows are the bio-indicators of an urban environment, much like the tiger whose decline indicates a threat to the ecosystem.While no one can be singled out for the declining sparrow population, it is humans who are collectively responsible for it, explains Mohammed Dilawar, President, Nature Forever Society (NFS), a crusader for the sparrow as well as other common flora and fauna in urban habitats. Through his non-governmental, non-profit organisation, he has been championing the cause of sparrows, by involving citizens in the conservation movement, especially in urban areas.An NFS initiative creating positive impact is World Sparrow Day, celebrated on March 20 annually, to raise awareness about conserving the sparrow population. So, why do we need to safeguard them, you might ask. Here are 10 reasons why Mumbaikars need to save the sparrow:
1. Felling of trees It is common knowledge that more the number of trees, more the number of birds. The spike in the felling of trees in Mumbai is a major reason why sparrows and other birds are facing a loss of habitat. But wait, sparrows nest in buildings too, right? They do, indeed, but are sadly facing a double whammy.
2. Lack of cavity nesting The ubiquitous glass buildings of Mumbai—the corporate dens—have replaced many older structures that were built with a façade that had nooks and crannies, even bricked roofs, which allow sparrows to nest.Cavities are important for birds like sparrows, mynahs, parakeets, etc. to
make nests. This is one of the reasons why South Mumbai sees a comparatively larger sparrow population due to heritage and older buildings being preserved to date.
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3. Absence of native plants Native plants such as adulsa, mehndi and many others are outdone by fancy non-native ones like Duranta Erecta, Dumb Cane and others as the trend of modern landscaping catches on. Native plants are the natural habitats of sparrows, providing them insects such as aphids to feed on. Sparrows need a diet of insects in their formative years to grow into healthy adults.
4. Absence of hedgerowsContemporary landscaping is also doing away with hedges, which are preferred by sparrows for nesting. Thick hedgerows are known to protect nesting birds such as the sparrow from predation.
5. Widespread use of concrete Sparrows are known to take two types of bath—one with water and one with dust. With the extensive use of concrete in Mumbai, the species is unable to take dust baths.
6. Modern grocery storage Speaking of food, sparrows are known to feed on tiny grains like bajra, which were earlier freely available from pecking at gunny bags stored outside older-style grocery stores and even the grains spilled on the ground. Modern grocery stores with air-conditioning and plastic packaging take away any chance of finding food grains to feed on.
7. Chemical fertilisers in agricultural produce Heavy use of chemical fertilisers leads to agricultural produce being laced by them, hence ruining the food of sparrows.
8. Cell phone radiationThe electromagnetic fields and radiation created by mobile towers are known to affect sparrows, simultaneously indicating that the radiation is also harmful to humans. The effects range from damage to the immune and nervous system of sparrows to interference with their navigating sensors.
9. High litter index in Mumbai There is a rise in the population of crows and stray cats due to the high litter index in Mumbai. Simply put, more the garbage, more the predators that prey on sparrows.
10. SuperstitionsLast but not least, humans with their firm belief in superstitions are known to consume sparrows, as some believe the male species to be an aphrodisiac.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:1 Adopt a nest box (surrogate cavity) and a feeder with the right kind of grain in it, to encourage sparrows to feed. This way, you’d provide them with a constant source of food.2 Plant native species of plants to help build a sparrow-friendly habitat and to espouse insect population.3 Set up a water bath, especially in summer, to allow the birds to drink and bathe.4 Spread the word and encourage friends and family to save the sparrow. For more information, visit www.natureforever.org Save the sparrowWorld Sparrow Day, celebrated on March 20 annually, is an initiative of the Nature Forever Society. In less than four years, this popular event has been celebrated in more than 50 countries around the world; including in Europe and parts of South Asia. World Sparrow Day is not only about house sparrows. It includes all 26 species of sparrows found in the world
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