When nature lovers are out to observe World Sparrow Day to save the chirpy birds often seen raiding frequently in large number in and around every courtyard, the Jharkhand Biodiversity Board (JBB) has blamed heightened use of chemicals in farms and gardens behind their disappearance.
The Board observing the day on March 20 is on its part has gone on taking some step to generate awareness among the common people to preserving the birds from getting extinct from the State. “Along with radiation generated through mobile towers, we have also observed that growing uses of pesticides and insecticides are also hurting sparrows in large numbers. Sparrows use to feed on smaller insects but the overuse of chemicals is taking a toll on the birds,” said KP Pandey, Chairman of the Board.
Though the JBB has not conducted a survey to establish quantum of loss taken to the avian in Jharkhand but inputs to it has painted a grey picture. “We have been getting reports also from villages which suggest that population of sparrow is going down alarmingly. In urban areas, their obvious residences have become limited since most of the homes in towns are of match-box type having no open ventilation or cavities, plantations and open spaces,” said the forest official.
On its part the Board has taken initiative to generate awareness among citizen and distributed earthen pots free among them. “Often the birds get killed due to starvation and dehydration. This time we have distributed pots at three-four places in Ranchi free of cost with a message that fill those with water and some grains so the sparrows can feed on that in summers. We have seen good responses,” said Member Secretary with the Board Shashikar Samanta.
The scenario is also troubling environmentalists. “It is sad that yesteryear’s abundant bird sparrows have been reached to the verge of getting extinct. Their chirp is a rare sound now a days which we used to listen not very long ago. Environmental pollution of all kind is considered as major reason. The bird is an asset for us and also for the farmers so all of us should come together to save it from dying,” said noted environmental activist Nitish Priyadarshi.
He also called on citizen to make space for the birds in their homes and built artificial shelters besides planting trees so that once household species can hop and buzz around once again.