Ecoensa has launched a special initiative on the occasion of International Biodiversity Day dedicated to the protection and revival of urban bird species.
On the occasion of International Biodiversity Day, Ecoensa launched a heartfelt initiative titled “Bring Back Chiriyas in Our Neighbourhood” to revive and protect our cherished urban passerines—especially the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) and Scaly-breasted Munia (Lonchura punctulata).
Once a common presence in Indian homes and public spaces, birds like the house sparrow and scaly-breasted munia have quietly vanishing from urban landscapes, primarily due to widespread habitat loss. This decline is closely tied to rapid urbanization, which has transformed building structures and reduced traditional nesting spaces for these birds. Modern architectural designs lack the crevices and cavities that older buildings naturally offered, critically limiting safe breeding sites for small passerines (Bhattacharya et al., 2011). Furthermore, urban ecosystems have witnessed a sharp decline in insect populations and one of the main causes is the use of pesticides and loss of native vegetation cover, which directly affects chick survival during the breeding season (Narayan & Kumar, 2019).
The shift to high-rise concrete structures has also fragmented green patches, turning cities into ecological traps where isolated trees and parks no longer support bird populations (Sharma & Khera, 2020). Air pollution compounds the problem by causing oxidative stress in birds, weakening their immune systems and reproductive success, especially in high-traffic urban zones (Kumar et al., 2014). Additionally, recent concerns have emerged around electromagnetic radiation from mobile towers disrupting avian orientation and behaviour, though more robust research is still needed in this area (Kaur, 2015). These threats collectively explain the 80–90% decline in urban sparrow populations observed in major cities such as Delhi over the past 15 years (Choudhary et al 2020, Sharma & Binner, 2020).
Why Sparrows Matter
Sparrows, though small and often overlooked, play a crucial ecological role in urban and semi-urban ecosystems. As granivorous and insectivorous birds, they contribute significantly to natural pest control by feeding on a wide variety of insects, especially during breeding seasons when their chicks rely heavily on protein-rich diets (Narayan & Kumar, 2019). This makes sparrows a natural ally for urban agriculture and garden biodiversity, helping maintain a balanced ecological web. Furthermore, their seed-eating habits aid in seed dispersal, indirectly supporting plant regeneration in green patches, roadside vegetation, and urban parks (Khera et al., 2010).
Beyond their ecological functions, sparrows are also important indicators of environmental health. A thriving sparrow population typically signals a relatively clean, safe, and biologically diverse environment. Their sensitivity to pollution, habitat fragmentation, and changes in food availability makes them a biological barometer for assessing the impact of urban development on biodiversity (Kumar et al., 2014). The social nature of these birds also fosters early environmental awareness among children, often being the first wild bird they recognize, thereby becoming a natural link between communities and biodiversity (Ali & Ripley, 1987). Beyond their ecological functions, sparrows have deep-rooted cultural and emotional associations across the globe. In Indian folklore, they symbolize domestic harmony and innocence, appearing in countless folk songs, poems, and local traditions. A decline in their numbers, therefore, often reflects deeper environmental degradation, making their presence or absence a red flag for policymakers and conservationists.
Moreover, sparrows hold cultural and emotional value. For generations, these birds have coexisted with humans, nesting in homes, chirping in courtyards, and acting as an everyday connection to the natural world. Their decline symbolizes a broader disconnect between urban living and ecological consciousness. But most importantly, they teach our children to watch, wait, and listen to the music of everyday life—now at risk of going quiet. Restoring sparrow populations isn’t just about saving a species, it’s about rekindling our relationship with the environment and nurturing urban ecosystems for future generations.
Handcrafted Nests, Heartcrafted Hope
At the heart of this initiative is community-driven action. Ecoensa collaborated with a group of women artisans from semi-urban and rural pockets to create handmade nests using natural fibers. These nests are designed to offer a safe space for chiriyas to breed, shelter, and return. This effort not only supports biodiversity restoration, but also empowers women artisans—giving their skills purpose and visibility.
Voices from the Ground
“This isn’t just about the birds. It’s about reviving our connection with nature. When sparrows return, peace follows,” said Dr. Archana Naithani, founder of Ecoensa private limited who led the initiative and personally distributed the nests across neighbourhoods in Noida. Under the Ecoensa’s initiative “Bring Back Chiriyas in Our Neighbourhood”, the team is distributing handmade nests crafted by women artisans, Ecoensa’s aim to counteract the nesting site shortage and restore microhabitats. This initiative not only empowers local women artisans but also reintroduces vital ecological functions by supporting breeding and foraging behaviours of small birds. Promoting awareness and habitat stewardship at the neighbourhood level becomes essential if we are to reverse the silent disappearance of our urban feathered friends.
How You Can Help?
- Put out grains and water bowls daily
- Install handmade nests in a quiet, semi-shaded corner
- Educate your neighbours, RWAs, and school groups
- Invite Ecoensa for an awareness session or nest drive
Next Phase: 5000 Nests – 100 Localities
This pilot is just the beginning. Ecoensa aims to scale this campaign to 5000 nests across 100 localities in the next 6 months.
If you’re a school, housing society, CSR group, or municipal body interested in partnering with us, please reach out at: info@ecoensa.com
Let’s bring back the chirping, one nest at a time.
Team Ecoensa
References:
- Ali, S., & Ripley, S. D. (1987). Handbook of the Birds of India and Pakistan. Oxford University Press.
- Bhattacharya, R., Roy, R., & Ghosh, S. (2011). The disappearance of the House Sparrow: Is EMR to blame? Indian Birds, 6(5).
- Bhattacharya, R., Roy, R., & Goswami, C. (2011). Studies on the response of House Sparrows to artificial nest. International Journal of Environmental Sciences, 1(7), 1574.
- Choudhary, S., Chauhan, N. P. S., & Kalsi, R. (2020). Finding clues in cities. Current Science, 118(8), 1304-1309.
- Choudhary, S., Chauhan, N. P. S., & Kalsi, R. (2020). Impact of urbanization on seasonal population status and occupancy of house sparrows in Delhi, India. Current Science, 119(10), 1706-1711.
- Choudhary, S., Chauhan, N. S., & Kalsi, R. (2019). Seasonal habitat selection by house sparrows across the urbanization matrix in Delhi, India. Journal of Wildlife and Biodiversity, 3(4), 57-65.
- Dhar, S., Rituraj, A., & Jha, A. (2025). Safeguarding House Sparrows: Actionable Policy Recommendations for Conservation Efforts in India. UTTAR PRADESH JOURNAL OF ZOOLOGY, 46(7), 112-119.
- Ghosh, S. (2010). Decline of House Sparrow: A myth or reality? Nature Forever Society.
- Joshi, K. K., Bhatt, D. C., Arya, A. K., & Saini, V. (2022). Population status of house sparrow (Passer domesticus L.) and its association with native bird species in and around Dehradun City of Uttarakhand, India. Proceedings of the Indian National Science Academy, 88(4), 664-669.
- Kaushik, T. K., & Gupta, R. C. (2018). Present scenario in respect of House-Sparrows’ depleting trends and conservation efforts in and around Kurukshetra, Haryana, India. Environment Conservation Journal, 19(3), 59-65.
- Khera, N., Das, A., Srivasatava, S., & Jain, S. (2010). Habitat-wise distribution of the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus) in Delhi, India. Urban Ecosystems, 13, 147-154.
- Kukreti, M. (2024). House sparrow (Passer domesticus) nesting behaviours in a rural habitat of the western Himalayas. Rivista Italiana di Ornitologia, 94(2).
- Kumar, V., Jolli, V., & Babu, C. R. (2022). Landuse patterns, air quality and bird diversity in urban landscapes of Delhi. Zoodiversity, 56(1).
- Narayan, G., & Kumar, A. (2019). Impact of urbanisation on insect biomass and bird nutrition. Journal of Ecology and Environment.
- Sharma, P., & Binner, M. (2020). The decline of population of house sparrow in India. International Journal of Agricultural Science, 5.
- Summers-Smith, J. D. (2003). The decline of the House Sparrow: A review. British Birds, 96(9), 439–446.
