World Sparrow Day: Here’s What You Can Do To Save These Tiny Birds

The rise in concrete buildings, felling of trees and increase in levels pollution, has threatened the existence of these sparrows

By: Chandan Kumar |
March 20, 2019 6:44 pm

Growing up, the sound of birds chirping was one of the few constants. Now it’s rare to even spot a sparrow, let alone wake up to the sound of one. With the inordinate rise in concrete buildings, felling of trees and increase in levels of pollution their habitat and threatened their existence.

In an attempt to create awareness about the dwindling numbers of sparrows, every year March 20 is celebrated as the World Sparrow Day.

In 2012, the Delhi government had declared sparrow as the state bird. It was under the request of Pramod Mane, founder of Sparrow’s Shelter, that the then Delhi CM Sheila Dikshit made this decision. Speaking to DownToEarth about the ways to save them from extinction, Pramod said, “During summers, people should hang artificial bird nests in balconies and put out a pot of water and food for the winged visitors.”

So here is how you can do your bit to help these little companions.

Keep water and grains in your balconies or windows, so that they can hydrate themselves this summer
Hang artificial nests so which can provide them a safe habitat to breed
Plant more trees, make the place greener

World Sparrow Day was started in 2010 by the Nature Forever Society in collaboration with the Eco-Sys Action Foundation (France) and numerous other national and international organisations across the world.

On this year’s World Sparrow Day, Twitter expressed their concern and pledged to their bit to save these little creatures

It’s #WorldSparrowDay! Let’s Bring Back to Our Street.. Feed them, provide proper shelter and Water. #SaveSparrow #SaveBirds @Jaggesh2 pic.twitter.com/GoqrL4FQWG

— Chowkidar Vinay Prasad (@vinayprasad93) March 20, 2019

#WorldSparrowDay
Save Sparrow and save nature.

Summer keep some water for birds. #WorldWaterDay #WorldSparrowDay pic.twitter.com/pIVT76rHxR

— Salman Shaikh (@Sallu54325) March 20, 2019

Once upon a time there were Sparrows!

It’s been many many years since I saw a Sparrow in Delhi…#WorldSparrowDay pic.twitter.com/6H0ybgrRyB

— Kamal Sangwan

#WorldSparrowDay
We don’t need 5th Generation Network #Savesparrows pic.twitter.com/9sa40Zfanl

— Gobi Gkn (@GobiVfc3) March 20, 2019