The Return Of The Common Indian Sparrow

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The common Indian sparrow which used to be widespread  all over the country both in the rural side of the country and also in the urban areas. Had been disappearing  from the country for many years. When I was a child it was common to see many sparrows flying around and their loud chirping used to be a part and parcel of every Indian’s life. I used to see them regularly pluck and take dry grass for building their nests. They also used to collect paper and other such wastes for their nests too. It was interesting to see their nest.  The eggs  they  used to lay were around two to three eggs. Once they were hatched it was a pleasure to see their parents feed the chicks regularly. Their parenting qualities were well appreciated by many.

As compared to them many humans do not seem to match their  skills today. Their famous places where they used to build nests were trees, attics, chimneys and places where there was no human intervention. They  used to eat the seeds, rice, grains and other foods kept out for them and used drink the water kept and have a good bath in them especially during the dry season. But sadly their habitat has been decreasing over the period of many years. Some of the reasons why the sparrows are found in decreasing numbers compared to what used to exist around thirty years ago are as follows.

Urbanization – This process of urbanization has lead to a uncontrolled growth of concrete structures. When these got built earlier there was space for gardens and there was substantial lung space available for birds and other animals to live. But the increase in population of humans led to rapid demand for the empty places and more houses began to be constructed. The kind of structures which were being constructed were different from what is  being constructed today. Thus sparrows were left with no habitat to survive and thrive on and many lands near lake bodies also got encroached which led to further shrinking of habitats. Shrinking of water bodies also reduced their population in the city. The number of population of sparrows further reduced.

Chopping of trees –  on the roadside also had  a damaging effect on their habitat. Many trees where chopped and others fell during storms. There was no concept of transplantation of trees at that time. Thus a tree gone was a tree lost. Urbanization also lead to  increase in widening of the roads leading to loss of green cover. Increasing vehicles on the road also led to pollution which did not help the case. Loss of green cover top also played a negative role. All this aspects put together drove the sparrows to the country sides. Their routes also were affected due these change of events.

Mobile phone and communication towers – Increased in great number as connectivity services had to be provided to the citizens residing in the cities. These towers generally have electromagnetic radiation. This leads to disorientation and loss of direction or flight path for the birds especially the smaller ones. While many dispute the fact and the mobile and communication players say such a thing is not there. But it has its effect but humans are more in need than communication than in sparrows. One more thing to note is these towers are present in  a particular radius to send and receive signals. This does affect all living beings by varying degrees. This is one more reason for the reduction of sparrows in cities.

Light in the night sky –  in the cities has become very bright than what it was years ago. This also affects the routine of the birds. Their routine gets upset while some of the birds have got used to this many could not and went to places where the night time will be night time mostly on the village side.  One can observe this phenomena practically when a solar eclipse takes place as birds think it is evening and start going to their nests to rest but are confused as the sun returns to it original position after the eclipse and it is evening time and not night as the birds are used to see.

There are many more details which I am not going into at this point of time. As I wish to celebrate the fact that these common Indian sparrows have been coming to the city side and also building their nest and adjusting to the changed scenario since the past few years. It is a welcome relief to see them. The numbers are also increasing slowly. There was huge public worry in India about this and now at least there are  people who are sensitive enough to the needs of the sparrows and are making necessary arrangements in their homes so that they feel invited to come there and have a good time.

What one needs to do is just provide some water, some grains and place some shelf like structures on the rooftops for them to build their nests. The next time you see  them   near your household take care of them and see that they return to your place repeatedly.  That will be the return of the common Indian sparrow which has begun.