Sparrows population has declined in Delhi. However, house sparrows can still be seen chirping on balconies and trees in Okhla and some other areas of the city. Many ecologists and conservationists term this a good sign.
World Sparrow Day 2022: Returning of house sparrows in Okhla areahttps://t.co/ZnEOyva5Wh pic.twitter.com/nQYGRs0AFt
— theokhlatimes (@theokhlatimes) March 20, 2022
On World Sparrow Day 2022, political leaders and netizens took a pledge to protect house sparrows. Many of them took to social media to speak about the birds.
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Ecologist and conservationist T K Roy said: “Although, at present, we are observing a partial increase in the population of house sparrows in urban areas, it is not consistent. Sparrows appear to be adapting to modern habitats for nesting and the availability of food sources for survival.
“They can now be found in alternative places such as on shop shutter tops, inverted lamp shades, ventilators, wall holes of modern flyovers, gaps between flyovers and concrete pole tops, and even in used cardboard boxes with holes that are hung from rooftops or ceilings.”
Many Okhla residents and bird watchers said they are pleased to see house sparrows in their locality and believe their numbers are increasing. Some residents have placed nests on their balconies, where they feed the sparrows daily. In Kalindi Kunj, one resident has also installed nests for house sparrows.
“When there was little construction in the area, one could see sparrows everywhere. They used to chirp and wake you up early in the morning. However, now their numbers have drastically come down, and the old days are just a memory,” said Naseem, who witnessed the area transform from barren land with lush greenery to a place lined with high-rises and a population explosion, as people from across India came to settle here.
“The whole urban landscape of Okhla has changed over the years,” he said.
With the arrival of summer, wildlife experts are worried that the heatwave in Delhi poses a significant threat to urban life as temperatures continue to rise. Consequently, Wildlife SOS has intensified rescue operations, saving hundreds of birds, reptiles, and mammals from the scorching heat.
“The unprecedented temperatures are severely affecting birds and animals in urban areas. As the mercury soars, they seek shade and water to cool down. Birds fluff their feathers and rest in dense foliage or fly at higher altitudes for cooler air. However, these measures are proving inadequate, causing animals to suffer heat strokes and collapse while searching for prey and water”, said Wildlife SOS which has been at the forefront of efforts to mitigate the impact of heatwave on wild animals.
In April, the NGO rescued over 110 birds, including parakeets, sparrows, barn owls, and black kites, with kite rescues being notably high at approximately 40. Additionally, the organisation rescued over 30 reptiles, such as the Indian wolf snake, black headed royal snake, and Indian rat snake, and 27 mammals, including golden jackals and civets.
“The primary cause of heat stroke in animals is dehydration. Wildlife SOS veterinarians provided immediate treatment with oral hydration solutions, including water mixed with glucose and electrolytes. For mammals, IV drips, antipyretic drugs to reduce body temperature, multivitamins, and oral rehydration solutions were administered. The animals were also kept in cool environments to help them stabilise,” said the NGO.
Geeta Seshamani, Co-founder and Secretary of Wildlife SOS, said: “In rural areas, evaporation from soil and plants cools the air, but this effect is lost in cities due to the lack of green spaces, a phenomenon called the Urban Heat Island effect. This makes it nearly impossible for animals to cool down, resulting in more dehydrated and stressed animals, with many succumbing to the extreme temperatures.”
Kartick Satyanarayan, Co-founder and CEO of Wildlife SOS, said: “Wildlife SOS urges people to be vigilant and proactive during this heatwave. Simple actions such as placing bowls of water in shaded areas can provide much-needed relief for birds and small animals. Citizens are also encouraged to contact Wildlife SOS on our emergency rescue helpline (+91-9871963535) if they encounter any animals in distress.”
