NGO 'Ward foundation' declares 2014 as the 'year of the sparrow'

NAGPUR: The common sparrow has not remained so common these days, with the bird attaining the fourth rank in the list of rare birds. This is what prompted NGO WARD (Wild life Conservation and Agro-Rural Development) Foundation to declare the current year as the 'year of the sparrow'. On World Sparrow Day on Wednesday, the NGO pledged to take efforts to conserve and protect sparrows along with increasing awareness about it.

The NGO also made efforts to teach people the way of building nests and bird houses. By means of leaflets, they also gave away information about places where these bird houses would be available at a reasonable price. They also conducted a drawing competition for kids wherein children were to draw sparrows.

"We all need to take efforts to conserve sparrows. Each animal is important for maintaining the balance of nature. Therefore, we have come up with the concept of 'One house, one bird nest'. If all houses have a space for the birds, there are chances that the bird will no longer remain as elusive and rare a sight as it now is," said Dr Mangesh Nakade, founder of WARD Foundation and the president of Indian Veterinary Students' Association (IVSA).

T Vijaykumar Naidu also made some bird feeders and bird houses available for sale on the day.