Do you know that the Sparrow was declared as the state bird of Delhi in 2012 and 20th March is celebrated as World Sparrow Day?

Even after the coming of successive governments, they have failed to take any concrete steps to save the state bird, the slowly vanishing birds. Governments have changed but the situation hasn't.

Three years ago an RTI application had said that no separate funds had been allocated for the conservation of sparrows or for creating an ideal habitat for their nesting.

The forest secretary said that sparrows were not the only birds that are facing extinction. Vultures are also on the verge of extinction, even the number of common crows is going down.

Ecologists fear the number of sparrows is declining with loss of habitat, rapid concretisation, lack of food and use of pesticides being some of the reasons for this extinction. No official bird census has been carried out. No study done to understand the disappearance. No funds have been embarked as such to save the state bird.

We as citizens can put bird feeders in balconies and on the terrace. Plants, trees and bushes can be planted in residential areas. We can avoid using pesticides and use natural fertilizers. 

A stitch in time can save nine.