On a mission to bring back the sparrows

Where have all the sparrows gone? — is a question many researchers, conservationists and bird watchers in the city have been asking for long. Sadhana Rajkumar, city-based celebrity nutritionist-fitness consultant, tells us, “Rather than questioning about their existence, if you give them proper food and shelter, they will be back near your surroundings.” She is on a mission to bring back the little birds back to namma ooru by creating awareness on the importance of the bird species.

Sadhana grew up in a 120-year-old tiled roofed house in Perambur where her grandfather built a sparrow enclosure. From living with sparrows around to not seeing them, Sadhana wonders what happened to the little birds. “I grew up seeing sparrows around my neighbourhood. Those days, the architecture and the construction of the houses were so different that it served a favourable environment for the sparrows to live. Later, I realised that today’s generation is missing out on seeing the sparrows and it hit me really hard. It’s now a rare sight to spot a sparrow in the city and I wanted to do something about it. Moreover, I really miss the chirping of sparrows in the mornings,” she says. She has been given the moniker ‘Sparrow Queen’ by Chennaiites.

The fitness consultant has made it her mission to preserve and bring back the sparrow, a spirit animal that symbolises joy and protection. “While I was researching about sparrows, a few studies showed that their numbers were decreasing across the world.”

She also claims that a recently released film that showed that birds are dying because of the electromagnetic radiation emitted from cell phone towers is conveying the wrong message to people. “I am happy that the makers have highlighted how cell phone tower radiation affects the existence of birds. The decline in the number of sparrows is because of no proper shelter, lack of food, water bodies, and pesticides. Buildings stand in the place of most of the ponds,” she fumes.

Her sheer love for the little birds made her make nests by herself and distribute to people for free. Initially, she made feeders with wood but later switched to terracotta nests. “I met a potter named Perumal who made the nests according to exact shape and size I suggested. After getting to know about my initiative people from across the country have approached me. Recently, one Mr. Sharma from Jammu and Kashmir had called me and enquired about the nests.” So far, she has given away 1,700 nests.

Sadhana warns that it is a serious threat if the sparrow population declines rapidly. “The mosquito population is on the rise and along with that many diseases also. We have to be sensitive and aware of our nature. There should be more awareness among people. Currently, I am organising workshops in schools where I teach the students to make bird feeders from plastic water bottles and cardboard boxes,” she remarks.