Where has the chirpy sparrow gone?

Create awareness about every species
There is a common perception that mobile towers and pollution are behind decline in the number of house sparrows. They are partly true but the main reason is the lack of nesting and breeding spaces. With high-rises and malls coming up everywhere, the birds have been displaced. In the city, if one goes beyond Thane, one can still spot sparrows in large numbers but in South Mumbai and other suburbs their number has declined. But I don’t think the bird will go extinct in the near future as they are good at adapting to their surroundings.  
Nayan Khanolkar, wildlife photographer

Monitoring system, database needed
Factors like lack of nesting sites, availability of foodgrains, changing lifestyle of human beings are some of the reasons responsible for decline of the sparrow population. Changing attitudes and lifestyles and changes in building architecture are contributory factors. Also there is a tremendous decline in the insect population. Today most gardens are full of exotic species of plants, but they have no ecological role to play, since a variety of insects have been weeded out. There is an urgent need to create more awareness in this regard and replace these species with native plants.   
Mohammed Dilawar, project officer, House, Sparrow Project, BNHS

Change in landscape responsible
Earlier we had small houses, so sparrows could find a place easily and they were able to build their nests. Also the tree cover in the city is decreasing. Sparrows are on the brink of extinction and they will be seen in small areas in the green pockets of the city. Like we have driven cattle out of the city, we have also driven the birds away. However they may be secure in the rural hinterland, in villages and other parts. The next generation, probably, wouldn’t be able to differentiate between a sparrow and a mynah. Also many habitats, wetlands, mangroves and many birds will become extinct since we don’t support them.    
Dr Goldin Quadros, interim state director, WWF-India, MSO

Parakeets, thrushes are facing a crisis
Vultures in the city are also battling for survival. Birds like parakeets, thrushes could be easily spotted in the city till a few years ago, but today they also almost forgotten. The fall in numbers of the common house sparrow could be attributed to a various of factors. Firstly it could be radiation. Use of pesticides to annihilate insects threatens its food supply. Another reason could be the lack of nesting space. To stop their extinction, we need to find the main reason. For example, if it is the lack of nesting places, then we can make artificial nests.
Debi Goenka, environmentalist

These creatures keep pests in check
With the present structure of new buildings, they don’t find crevices to make their nests. The mall culture has brought the idea of packaged foodgrains, hence spillage of grains were their main food sources, have come down drastically. Sparrows will remain only in text books for future generations. I call these chirpy birds as cleaners, since they feed on tiny insects and pests. With their extinction, urban loneliness will increase. It is the same with all small birds in urban areas. Their mortality rates are going up due to lack of proper shelters and food. We must save them by putting shelters on trees and public parks.   
Nilesh Baxi, civic activist and environmentalist

Bird extinction hits  plant pollination 
It they go extinct then the aftermath will be devastating. Birds play an important role in helping pollination. If they start becoming extinct at this rate, we better start worrying for our flora and fauna. There are many species which are moving closer to that danger mark. But we have to focus on the core issue of the entire process, climatic and environmental challenges. We must stop deforestation as it’s leading to destruction of their habitat. We don’t want the next generation to be devoid of the pleasures of nature.      Dr Purushottam, director, Vishwa