The once-familiar sight and sound of sparrows in urban areas of Nepal are rapidly disappearing. Experts attribute this decline to rapid urbanization, habitat loss, and environmental factors affecting their survival.
In the past, the chirping of sparrows signaled the arrival of morning, and they were commonly seen playing in courtyards. However, this is no longer the case.
"Sparrows used to come and eat biscuits placed in the courtyard, but now they are rarely seen," said Paharu Dahit of Shuklaphanta Municipality-3. He believes that the destruction of traditional houses and the rise of concrete buildings have left sparrows with fewer places to nest, leading to their declining numbers.
According to ornithologist Hirulal Dagaura, radiation from mobile towers disrupts the navigational abilities of sparrows and negatively impacts their reproductive capacity. In some cases, exposure to radiation has been linked to brain damage and death in sparrows. Noise pollution and excessive pesticide use in agricultural fields further threaten their survival.
"Pesticides not only kill insects, reducing the sparrows' food supply, but also poison them directly," Dagaura explained. Additionally, natural predators such as crows, cats, and larger birds further contribute to the decline in their population.
Sparrows play a vital role in maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance. To support their survival, experts suggest creating nesting spaces in homes, providing food and water on rooftops, and encouraging farmers to use fewer pesticides.
March 20 is observed as Sparrow Day to raise awareness about their conservation. This year’s theme is "I Love Sparrow." Organizations dedicated to bird conservation have been actively working to protect sparrows.
In Kanchanpur, conservationist Subhan Chaudhary noted that people have placed paper bags on verandas and trees to help sparrows build nests. Additionally, bird lovers have been counting sparrows for 20 minutes around their homes to monitor population trends. Awareness programs, including discussions and interactive sessions with students, have also been organized to highlight the importance of sparrow conservation. -- RSS
