World Sparrow Day: With wooden nests, this man won a war against extinction
Rabindra Mohan Sahoo's efforts helped increase the bird’s population from 11 to now hundreds in a decade in an Odisha village
In Odisha’s seaside village Puranabandhi in Ganjam district in 2008 Sahoo began installing earthen pots and wooden boxes with holes to serve as nests for the birds. Photo: Ashis Senapati
In Odisha’s seaside village Puranabandhi in Ganjam district in 2008 Sahoo began installing earthen pots and wooden boxes with holes to serve as nests for the birds. Photo: Ashis Senapati
Sahoo says at that time, 11 years ago, only 11 sparrows were available in the village. Within a year, the number increased to 52, including 32 female sparrows. Now, the village is home to hundreds of sparrows. Photo: Ashis Senapati
The closed and matchbox-like structures coming up around us are one of the major reasons behind the bird’s declining population. Photo: Ashis Senapati
Sahoo has been distributing wooden nest boxes in Paradip, Rourkella, Athagard, Badama, Banei, Kendujhar, Berhampur, and other places in the state with help from forest officials, NGOs and certain firms. He also conducts awareness camps in educational institutions. Photo: Ashis Senapati
The increasing number of cell phone towers and the radiation they generate reduces their reproductive capacity. Photo: Ashis Senapati
Ganjam district is on its way to being the first house sparrow-friendly one in Odisha. Photo: Ashis Senapati
