THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: In a novel attempt to protect the house sparrows, which are facing extinction, scores of nests were installed at the Palayam market on Friday. Writers' and Nature Lovers' Forum (WNLF) has taken the initiative to install around 25 nests at the market.A large number of people, especially merchants and headload workers, came forward with enthusiasm to set up the nests below the roofs of the nearby shops buildings and sheds. Speaking on the occasion, Mayor K Chandrika said that it was the first time that such a step to protect the house sparrows was being initiated in the city. She said that protecting the birds was part of conserving nature and human beings, as birds are an integral part of the ecosystem.She said the efforts of the WNLF would help propagate the message across a larger society.Participating in the efforts with great enthusiasm, District Collector M Nandakumar said birds like house sparrows had an important role in containing epidemics by feeding on the insects and worms, which cause diseases. “One who loves birds is loving nature and the human kind,” he said. The Collector pointed out that in the past, foodgrains were aplenty for the house sparrows to feed on. Now, they feed on the flies and insects. He said the efforts by the nature lovers were an attempt at bringing back the house sparrows to the market places. He offered all possible assistance from the district administration to conserve the house sparrow population. WNLF president C Rahim, who is also a noted bird watcher and writer, said scientific research had established that mobile tower menace had an adverse effect on the house sparrows. He said that more people, especially merchants and workers, would be involved for setting up more nests in the other markets within the city.Senior journalist S Bhasurachandran, ward councillor Palayam Rajan and WNLF treasurer J Ramakrishnan, among others, attended the function.
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