Bird house for sparrows in a Munger village
By Avijit Biswas
Munger: Located adjacent to NH-80 (Mokama–Farraka National Highway) in the Gangetic belt, Shivkund is otherwise like any other nondescript village in the district. However, its growing commitment to sparrow conservation — reflected in the presence of bird houses and feeders in a substantial number of households — sets Shivkund apart from other villages.
A modest effort aimed at saving vanishing sparrow species initiated in past by few people of Shivkund interested in nature conservation has gradually turned into community initiative in the area. Number of village residents are now part of the initiative.
Apart from Shivkund in adjoining Lagma, Hemjapur and Sunderpur villages all situated within distance of approximately fifteen kilometers from district headquarter, having nesting facilities for sparrows in houses has become popular in recent years.
Nitish Kumar, chief pharmacist, in Jamalpur main railway hospital, a native of Shivkund village, said so far more than two hundred bird boxes for sparrows have been fixed at different places mostly in village houses. Kumar had pioneered sparrow conservation effort in Shivkund with assistance from few others working for the same cause in different areas of state.
At present sparrows could be found nesting in almost ninety percent of the bird boxes, he informed. Kumar said frequent citing of sparrows in substantial number of households indicate considerable increase of sparrow population in village.
Based on visible impact, it can be said sparrow population has increased to more than five hundred since start of conservation effort, he added. Giving details Kumar informed as mythologically it is largely believed presence of sparrows in households brings blessing of goddess Laxmi, the nature conservation effort of providing congenial nesting facilities for sparrows was initiated.
The objective of conservation effort was also aimed at ensuring Shivkund could be identified as sparrow village, he said. Kumar confirmed started by few, the conservation effort is now a community initiative. More than twenty volunteers are actively involved with conservation effort including creating awareness he informed adding apart from volunteers more than two hundred people having interest in nature conservation are also associated with the initiative in different ways.
Talking about resources needed for providing bird houses to people he said though initially they had to arrange bird boxes with their own resources however subsequently many people willingly started coming forward for donating bird houses.
Kumar said particularly during marriage and birthday celebrations residents of the area in many cases make it a point to donate bird houses. The community initiative at Shivkund has popularized idea of having bird houses for sparrows has also generated interest of having similar nesting facilities among people in neighbouring villages, he informed.
Rajiv Ranjan Pandey, of Goriya Bihag Foundation, Biharsharif among people involved in initiating sparrow conservation effort in Shivkund village corroborated from modest beginning sparrow conservation has become community initiative in the area. The conservation efforts have yielded highly encouraging result, he added.
Kishore Jaiswal, convenor, Pragatisheel Krishi Manch, a native of Kalyanpur village of district, felt the community commitment of sparrow conservation in Shivkund area has led to positive outcomes. The pleasant sound of bird chipping is back again beside increased sparrow population is also contributing in insect control in the area, he added.
About the Author
Avijit Biswas is a former reporter with the Hindustan Times, Patna Edition, based in Bhagalpur. He has more than 25 years of experience covering politics and other key beats across eastern Bihar. Known for his in-depth ground reporting and strong grasp of regional issues, Biswas has closely followed political developments and social trends in the region, earning credibility for accurate and balanced journalism. Avijt may be contacted at biswasavijit@yahoo.com
About the Author
