Stories and legends about sparrows have been passed down from generation to generation. Some see their arrival as a good omen, while others see it as an indicator of a healthy environment.
However, don't be fooled by the name. Once abundant in trees and shrubs, sparrows are now endangered and included on the International Union for Conservation of Biological Sciences' Red List of Threatened Species. Nature (IUCN).
In recent years, their numbers have been rapidly decreasing. World Sparrow Day is observed every year on 20 March to raise awareness about the declining population of sparrows and the need for urgent measures to protect and conserve them. I am.
environmental spiral
Sandeep Jain, a member of the Animal Welfare Board of India and a long-time activist in the field of wildlife conservation, said, “The decline in sparrow populations due to polluted environments means that we are degrading the environment.'' This is an indicator that shows that we are doing well.” All live there. ”
Listing more specific factors that have led to the decline, he says, “It's not the urban habitat, but architectural changes such as the use of glass and aluminum, pollution from microwave towers, the gradual decline in nesting sites, food sources, and biological substitutes.'' The difference between native plants and non-native species should be criticized. ”
He also emphasized that the widespread use of pesticides on crops affects caterpillars and molluscs, and thus the entire food chain. Sparrow chicks eat only insect food for the first 15 days of their life, and the unavailability of insect food increases chick mortality, further exacerbating the problem of population decline. The planting of exotic plants and the use of chemicals in gardens and homes also leads to the destruction of their habitat and food base.
Go organic
To protect and conserve sparrows, Jains suggested adopting organic farming.
“This will provide them with enough insects and caterpillars to feed on,” he said, adding that planting native trees, shrubs and vines will provide them with plenty of protection from predators. , suggested it could camouflage itself and also attract insects and pests. , they are all part of the natural ecosystem.
