Jamnagar's animal activists celebrate World House Sparrow Day

Jamnagar (Gujarat), Mar 20 : Animal activists and environmentalists of Gujarat's Jamnagar observed World House Sparrow Day on Saturday to create awareness about their declining population.

Initiated by a voluntary organization "Nature Club,' the day was observed by distributing around 50,000 artificial nests to the local residents.

Suresh Bhatt, Chief of Nature Club, said that due to the increasing pollution and human interference the population of house sparrows is decreasing at an alarming rate.

"Earlier one could find many house sparrows near our houses but now they are hard to find because of pollution and human interference. The day will come when our next generation will only be able to see these birds in photographs and paintings. So, to prevent this situation, our organization in association with the Jamnagar Municipal Corporation has initiated a project in which we have build nest boxes for these birds,' said Bhatt.

He added that the rapid urbanization has hampered the habitats of these birds.

"There are many ponds in this locality, so it is good to see these birds nest on the trees on the artificial nests. This motivates us to do something for the nature,' said Joshi, a member of Nature Club.

Ranging from 14 to 18 centimeters, house sparrow or passer domesticus is a species of passerine bird of the sparrow family Passeridae and is strongly associated with human habitations.

It is a very social bird and expressive in all seasons when feeding, it roosts communally and its nest is usually placed together in clumps.

Many reasons have been attributed by experts in this field for their decline, which include introduction of unleaded petrol, the burning of which produces harmful fumes, which is toxic for the birds.