Kokila Ramesh Jain makes customised terracotta nests to help attract the birds; she also organises citizen awareness events to highlight their importance
Representative photo from iStock Sparrows, that were once an inseparable part of urban and rural landscapes, are disappearing at an alarming rate. Their decline is not just a matter of ecological concern but also serves as a poignant reminder of the impact human activities can have on the delicate balance of nature.
But not everything is lost. It may not be a large conservation effort, but a single person can make a difference. One such effort is being made by Kokila Ramesh Jain, a resident of the Siddartha Nagar suburb of Mysuru.
Over the last 4-5 years, Jain — a homemaker in Mysuru — has constructed 150 homes for the birds since she began her conservational drive in 2019. She has also distributed over 800 nests.
She told Down To Earth (DTE):
I aim to bring back sparrows into our homes. Sparrows are perhaps one of the most prominent bird species that live in harmony with human beings, sharing living space and eating habits. They live on morsels of grains and make their nests in the corners of houses that have tiled roofs and niches.
But today, humans procure their grains from the supermarkets, which do not need cleaning as had been traditionally done in the past by women of the household, she added.
“There are just no cosy corners or tiled roofs anymore in our homes. They say the mobile phone signals also disturb them, but I am not sure about it. It needs somebody more technically qualified to establish that,” Jain added.
The design for the bird houses is her own — the customised terracotta nests have helped attract more sparrows, she claimed.
Jain has a micro-sparrow conservation project going on in Mysuru’s Devaraja Market. “The vendors there were apprehensive about it in the beginning. But they finally opened up, and today there is a thriving community of sparrows inside the market. I deliver foxtail millet and broken rice to the vendors who feed them,” said Jain.
To ensure that the sparrows are well taken care of, she calls the residents of a few city neighbourhoods to check on the feathered creatures.
After getting details about their activities, Kokila requests that people fill the pots with water and food. She also often visits the market to conduct surveys and interacts with people about the status of the birds.
Muhib, a vendor in Devaraja Market, said, “At first, I didn’t think this would work at all. But after her persistent attempts, I gave in and also influenced others in my market. Now, we can hear the sparrows chirping all the time. They are not afraid of the vendors of the market and co-exist there with humans.”
At the moment, sparrows are seen only in select pockets of Mysuru. Jain has started studying the areas where sparrows can still be found and is setting up nests there.
She also organised a sparrow conservation programme in Mysuru on March 16, ahead of World Sparrow Day on March 20.
“This is an event for young children. It also aims to place feeding stations for birds in different parts of Mysuru and plant fruit- and flower-bearing saplings so that birds can access food naturally,” she told DTE.
Kokila said anyone interested can take part in the initiative by setting up nests. It is also important to construct a sand pit nearby, as sparrows enjoy playing in sand and water. The nests have a few holes in them for the birds to go in and out easily. The sparrows are fed a mixture of seeds, broken rice and foxtail millet.
Several factors have contributed to the decline of sparrows, chief among them being habitat degradation and loss.
Rapid urbanisation has led to the destruction of their natural habitats, leaving little room for these birds to nest and forage. The disappearance of traditional nesting sites, such as old buildings and hedgerows, further exacerbates their plight.
Changes in agricultural practices also play a significant role in the decline of sparrows. The intensification of farming methods, including the use of pesticides and monoculture crops, has led to a decline in insect populations, a primary food source for sparrows.
Additionally, the loss of hedgerows and field margins deprives sparrows of foraging areas, further reducing their chances of survival.
The decline of sparrows has far-reaching consequences for ecosystems.
Sparrows play a crucial role in controlling insect populations, thereby contributing to pest control in agricultural and urban areas. Their disappearance could lead to an increase in insect pests, potentially affecting crop yields and human health.
The loss of sparrows, indicators of environmental health, could signify a decline in biodiversity and ecosystem stability. It could also pose threats to other wildlife species and ultimately impact human well-being.
Efforts to conserve sparrows are underway globally.
Urban greening projects, such as creating green spaces and installing nest boxes, provide much-needed refuge for sparrows in urban areas. Community engagement programmes encourage citizens to create bird-friendly habitats in their neighbourhoods.
In agricultural landscapes, agro-ecological practices promote biodiversity-friendly farming methods that benefit sparrows and other wildlife. Implementing agroforestry techniques, maintaining hedgerows and reducing pesticide use help create suitable habitats for sparrows while promoting sustainable agriculture.
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