RAMESHA M N -
Mundre, Tarikere Taluk Chikmagalur Karnataka
Not only Sparrow!
In my childhood we used to flock of sparrows flee from one street to another in my village Mundre, in fringes of Western Ghats, is located in Tarikere taluk and Chikmagalur district. In an image the flock may count around 30-50 birds. We used to drive away my household cattle for grazing to nearby village fallow lands in the early hours of the day. At 9 O’Çlock someone from our home used to come us for sending us back home to get ready for school. While coming back to home, my brother Sathish, always has craze to throw something in his hand towards sparrow flock. Two times he killed two birds by just throwing a small stick he used to carry for controlling cattle. After that everyone in my home scolded him for that act and asked to refrain from such acts. This was the story during 1987-92. But now days we hardly find any such huge flocks in our village. Very few birds rarely visit just like seasonal migrants. It is very pathetic.
During that period, very few (three to four) farmer in my village used to spray chemical for crop protection, but now almost all used to spay deadly chemical like Endosulphon. Almost all crops are chemically treated against pest attack. Usually these pests serve as food these feathered biped creatures. In my opinion this was the main reason for decline of not only sparrows but cows, doves, owls, pigeons, peacocks, partridges and other birds as well.
Not only Sparrow!
In my childhood we used to flock of sparrows flee from one street to another in my village Mundre, in fringes of Western Ghats, is located in Tarikere taluk and Chikmagalur district. In an image the flock may count around 30-50 birds. We used to drive away my household cattle for grazing to nearby village fallow lands in the early hours of the day. At 9 O’Çlock someone from our home used to come us for sending us back home to get ready for school. While coming back to home, my brother Sathish, always has craze to throw something in his hand towards sparrow flock. Two times he killed two birds by just throwing a small stick he used to carry for controlling cattle. After that everyone in my home scolded him for that act and asked to refrain from such acts. This was the story during 1987-92. But now days we hardly find any such huge flocks in our village. Very few birds rarely visit just like seasonal migrants. It is very pathetic.
During that period, very few (three to four) farmer in my village used to spray chemical for crop protection, but now almost all used to spay deadly chemical like Endosulphon. Almost all crops are chemically treated against pest attack. Usually these pests serve as food these feathered biped creatures. In my opinion this was the main reason for decline of not only sparrows but cows, doves, owls, pigeons, peacocks, partridges and other birds as well.
