Noting sharp decline in their population, civic body decides to build shelters across Mumbai's gardens to help the birds breed
Noting sharp decline in their population, civic body decides to build shelters across Mumbai's gardens to help the birds breed
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It started with... Mayor Shubha Raul was presented with a sparrow shelter last year, as part of an NGO's initiative to save the birds. file pic |
The BMC's latest pet project is the construction of shelters for sparrows across civic gardens in the city. The campaign, which follows in the wake of similar projects by NGOs, stems from the sharp decline in the population of the birds in the last five years.
Citing concretisation and changing climatic conditions as the primary reasons behind the dwindling numbers (see box), experts pointed out that sparrows are a very sensitive breed and, thus, fall prey more easily to these factors.
"In the past few years, Mumbai has seen a rapid decline in its green cover. The loss of habitat has led to the decline in the numbers of sparrows," said Mohammed Dilawar, an ornithologist with the Bombay Natural History Society.
"Once upon a time, sparrows would regularly enter our houses, but that has become a thing of the past. We need to do something to save this bird before it disappears from the city," said Yashwant Jadhav, chairman, market and garden department, BMC.
"We have at least 300 gardens across the city. We can start with putting about four sparrow shelters in each garden. These shelters will allow the birds to breed," he added.
Said Additional Municipal Commissioner R A Rajeev, "It is a noble idea. We will soon be taking out tenders for the sparrow shelters."
Amisha Vira, trustee for People for Animals, Mumbai, applauded the BMC initiative and said, "Apart from building the sparrow shelters, the BMC should also ensure that these shelters are equipped with bird feeders and regularly stocked with water."
The killers...> Rampant cutting of trees
> Vanishing open spaces
> Increasing pollution
> Lack of food, as local grocery shops are replaced by supermarkets, which means pre-packed food
Rs 500The cost of each sparrow shelter. The shelters will be made of wood
