Stories

Displaying 1-2 of 2 result(s).
Ashish Shukla - Awasthi Compound, Jhanda chowk Jharsuguda Odisha

My home ( Awasthi Compound)is situated at an open area of the town.In the east site, there is a scrubland of size 150 sq.mt.
In the time period (seventies)we used to see a number of sparrows. There nests were also found very frequently. We used to rescue sparrow chicks that had fall down from their nests.


Ashish Shukla - Mangal Bazar Jharsuguda Odisha

The population of sparrow is on decline in and around my town.I discussed the matter with my friends and they also confirmed that large congregation of the bird that were seen earlier , are not seen any more. The possible reason apart from habitat loss ,could either be heavy air and water pollution due to rapid industrialisation in and around the town or fungus like growth of mobile towers which supposed to have bad impact on the breeding biology of the little bird. Whatever be the cause, the chirp of poor little bird is gradually fainting. One most important reason to my mind is gradually decreasing nest sites. Modern homes, flats and buildings do not have any such suitable place for nests that were easily available in the bygone days. Moreover "elite" and "educated" people do not want bits of straw or grass scattered on the floor or deposited on the ventilator or any such other places.

I am lucky, my house is also a home for four pairs of sparrows. I have made nest boxes of thermocol and they have happily accepted it and raising their broods. But,sadly,none of the pairs were ever lucky to successfully raise their chicks. their nests were either raided by the Mahok ( centropus sinensis) or the young ones were predated upon by the Shikra ( accipiter badius) or the Crow. It is truly said that in nature numbers bring safety . My birds,being a few in numbers, and also nesting in different time attracts the attention of marauding Mahok , Shikra and Crow.

I am in a fix,should I come in the way of Nature and protect the nests or remain a mute spectator of a common natural phenomenon.