One of the most common species of birds found around the globe is Sparrow. Sparrows are associated with being urban dwellers as they enjoy being around humans and have adopted being around us.
Although small, these Birds are an important part of our life. During the "Great Leap forward", between the year 1952-1962, a campaign was launched to eradicate different pests called the “Four Pest Campaign” in China. Sparrow was one of the pests in the list as it eats the grain and rice produced from the hard labor of the people. Around 1 Billion sparrows were killed during the campaign. As essentially the goal was to drive the sparrow into extinction. Sparrow feeds on grains and seeds but they also feed on the pest that destroys the harvest of the farmers. The role of Sparrow in balancing the ecosystem was realized, when Locutus came in destroyed all the harvest causing great famine. The novel agricultural technique used the great leap forward also exaggerated in the disastrous effect of the campaign. The famine lasted 3 years between the year 1959 to 1961 and it is estimated tens of million people have been killed. As the mistake was realized, the sparrow was removed from the campaign. Sparrow plays an intrinsic role in controlling the pest and plays as well as in maintaining the delicate balance of our ecosystem.
Worldwide the sparrow population is declining. The lush green field used for fruiting grains, vegetables, and fruits is being encroached and converted into a concrete jungle. These homes don't have cavities for the sparrow to build their nest. Previously old homes made from half-cooked bricks and roof tiles provided cavity which provided nesting for Sparrow. Sparrow does build their nest in the tree as well but prefers in those cavities. Change in lifestyle of women has also been considered a cause, as before women used to clean grains on the balcony of home and leave poor quality grains for birds. Electromagnetic radiation emitting from mobile cell phone towers are one of the cause as well. Still, more research needs to be conducted on this issue, to be more conclusive.
So, what can we do? We can give these birds some food and water, these will supplement their diet. Build boxes for these birds, so that they can build their nest in there. These small steps can help to improve the population of Sparrow.
Small in size, considered a pest but a friend in disguise. Sparrow has a big role in maintaining our ecosystem and our life.
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