Post New Network
Ganjam, June 27: From seven sparrows in 2007 to over 300 now, a local outfit here has done a praiseworthy work for the protection of the endangered birds.
Rushikulya Samudra Kainchha Suraksha Samiti based at Purunabandh village here, has been trying to
increase the bird’s population here since 2007. According to Rabindranath Sahu, secretary of the outfit, the outfit is working in nine districts to protect the species and generate awareness among people to work for increasing the population of the species.
The Samiti has built a clay-and-thatched house for the sparrows and hanged nests made of clay pots, wood, bamboo and dry coconut shell on its premises. They have also hanged boxes of grains in the house to provide food for the species.
“Initially, we started with seven birds and now the population has grown to 320. The birds fly out of the house and occasionally to collect food but reside in the nests created for them in the house,” said Sahu.
“The birds do not get insects as their food due to extensive use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers in the farmland. But they manage to get some insects from drumstick, neem and mahua trees. However, it is not enough for them,” he added. A sparrow lays 3-4 eggs at a time. A particular bird lays eggs for 4-5 times in a year. Sahu pointed out that there is 80 per cent decline in sparrow population worldwide due to increasing concrete jungles, extensive exploitation of nature and climate change.
