Thinking Point
Sanjay Kumar
The writer is IIS, Deputy Director, Central Bureau of Communication /Press Information Bureau (PIB), Ministry of Information & Broadcasting, Govt. Of India
The State of Indian Birds 2023 report has shocked bird lovers, calling many species endangered. It also seeks to conserve 178 species of birds. There is also talk of the danger looming over the sparrow, wrapped in questions of extinction. However, the situation is not yet such that the sparrow is included in the red list, although the conditions are not good. Despite this, the threat remains, as it has become extinct in many areas. In such a situation, the question often arises about the number of sparrows: how many sparrows are there in a village, a city, a colony, a state, or even the whole country or the world?
According to one estimate, the worldwide sparrow population is about 1.6 billion. Given the declining population of the sparrow, the central government has shown vigilance towards its conservation so that its numbers do not decline and has included seven sparrows, including the house sparrow, in Schedule-II by notifying the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (last updated 1-4-2023). These include the Eurasian tree sparrow (Passer montanus), house sparrow (Passer domesticus), rock sparrow Petronia (Petronia), russet sparrow (Passer cinnamomeus), Sind sparrow (Passer pyrrhonotus), Spanish sparrow (Passer hispaniolensis) and yellow-throated sparrow (Gymnoris xanthocoelis), which is found in India.
The sparrow was earlier included in Schedule III. But now with its inclusion in Schedule II, its security has been further enhanced. It cannot be hunted except as a threat to human life. The permission of the chief wildlife warden will be required to move it from one place to another. When it comes to the number of sparrows in India, they are seen from Kanyakumari to Kashmir. Yet, the total number of sparrows in the country is often questioned. However, there has been no official count in India so far. However, reports of institutional or individual enumeration keep coming in.
Sparrows are not migratory birds but are gregarious. Most roam or migrate within a radius of one to five kilometres. Sparrows live mostly in small trees and shrubs. According to experts, the sparrow counting method can be adopted in a single day within a radius of one to five kilometres from a point in all directions for counting sparrows. The Bombay Natural History Society conducted an online survey in 2021 to find out the status of the sparrow in India. The Indian Institute of Biodiversity Conservation conducted a large-scale census in 2015. Only 5,692 sparrows were seen in Lucknow and about 775 in some areas of Punjab. Only 29 sparrows were seen in Thiruvananthapuram. Local NGO Travancore Natural History Society from Kanyakumari conducted a survey in 2017 at different places in the city. It found that while 82 sparrows were seen till a year ago, their number had come down to just 23.
The Save Sparrow Project Report 2015 in Kanpur district said that 37 sites were surveyed in the district and 581 sparrows were recorded. At the same time, Environment Warrior in Patna and Our Sparrow Bihar tried to find out the estimated number of sparrows by taking stock of different areas. Our sparrow saw 25 to 100 in many localities, including Kankarbagh, and not a single one in many other areas. More than a hundred were seen at nearby railway stations, including Patna, and 50 to 100 in the old quarters. Based on the study and observation of data from different areas of Patna by the team of Environment Warriors Bihar, it was concluded that the sparrow was extinct or non-existent in 40 percent of the Patna Municipal Corporation area.
A recent local survey found there were more than 200 sparrows around Patna Junction, Rajendra Nagar, Mahendru, Bazar Samiti, etc., but less than 15 in Anandpuri, Rajiv Nagar, Patliputra Colony, etc. Based on the survey, the possible number of sparrows in the Patna Municipal Corporation area is estimated between 6000 to 7000. In the entire Bihar (rural and urban areas), the sparrow is in the number of 100 to 1000 in Gaya, Bhagalpur, Munger, Khagaria, Naugachia, Rohtas, Lakhisarai, Bhojpur, Saran, Vaishali, Kishanganj, East and West Champaran, Jamui, etc., but is not seen in many other areas. Indu Shekhar, a villager from Lakhisarai district, had more than 100 sparrows in his house but today the number has gone down to 25.
In the village Chak Dunai, Runi Saidpur, Sitamarhi, there were house sparrows in large numbers till 2007-2010 but one day in 2010 a snake attacked a sparrow and the sparrows disappeared. Villager Gheyas Akhtar said that there were hundreds of sparrows in his house and village but one day in 2010 a snake killed a sparrow and then all the sparrows flew away and never came back. The sparrows used to live in thatched and tiled houses but insecurity forced them to migrate.
The picture is the same in several villages/towns with sparrow populations. There are 26 species of sparrows found worldwide, of which five to seven are found in India. The International Union for Conservation of Nature listed the sparrow as an endangered species in 2002, while the UK's Royal Society for Protection of Birds placed the sparrow on the 'Red List' in 2017, based on several studies in other parts of the world, including India. The Red List includes animals or birds that are threatened with extinction. However, the State of India's Birds 2020, Range, Trends, and Conservation Status report claimed that, for the last 25 years, the sparrow population had remained stable in India. A report at the 13th International Migratory Species Conservation Conference held in Gandhinagar, Gujarat from February 15 to 22, 2020 also revealed that the sparrow population in India was stable.
By the way, it is also true that it has not been seen for years in many villages and towns. In some cities and villages, it is visible in some areas and not in others. Sparrows can be seen in flocks at railway stations. The sheds and open buildings on all platforms of the railway station provide accommodation. At the same time, they get plenty of food easily. It does not matter if there are no trees here, a large number sit on the electric wire. The entire scene is worth watching, usually seen across the country. The reasons for the decline in the sparrow population include increasing habitat crisis, dietary deficiencies, extensive use of pesticides in farms, lifestyle changes, climate change, pollution, hunting, disease, and radiation from mobile phone towers but the State of India's Birds 2020-Range, Trends and Conservation States report debunks this. However, sparrow conservation initiatives are necessary.
Sparrow mascots convey a message of conservation
A farmer who is a childhood friend is running a worldwide campaign to conserve one of the most distressed species of birds, the ‘house sparrow’. Small wonder public awareness about conserving the sparrow has increased given the government’s initiatives, such as declaring March 20 as World Sparrow Day. Along with the slogan 'I Love Sparrow', the sparrow mascot ('Shubhankar') is also making an impact. Such mascots can be used at sporting events.
The central government created the mascot of a sparrow -Ujjwala- in the Khelo India Para Games 2023, while the Bihar government created the mascot sparrow -Gudiya -in the Women's Asian Champions Trophy 2024 in Rajgir. The mascot of the All India Civil Services Carrom Tournament 2023-24 was also a sparrow, named Queen. ‘Our Sparrow’ and ‘Environment Warriors’ of Patna, Bihar, active in sparrow conservation, have created a sparrow mascot -Zubi- for various competitions given World Sparrow Day 2025.
The intention behind creating the mascots was that the message of sparrow conservation would go far and the event would also get a special identity. The logo and mascot of Khelo India Para Games 2023 was launched in New Delhi on November 26, 2023, by the then Union Minister of Youth Affairs and Sports Anurag Singh Thakur and several eminent athletes and para-athletes. This small sparrow is a symbol of Delhi's pride.
On August 15, 2012, the Delhi government declared the sparrow as the state bird. The uniqueness of the sparrow shows determination and empathy. As the mascot of Khelo India - Para Games 2023, Ujjwala - a sparrow is a youth wearing a saffron-coloured cap, jersey, shoe and tricolour band around the neck and wrist. It was placed at the prime location of Delhi beside the sports complex during the Khelo India-Para Games 2023. Ujjwala is a reminder of the fact that power comes in many forms and the human spirit is unbreakable.
The Bihar government also made the sparrow its state bird on April 16, 2013, and on October 5, 2024, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar unveiled the logo, design and mascot of the Women's Asian Champions Trophy 2024, to be held for the first time in Bihar at Rajgir from November 11 to 20. The mascot Gudiya was given the appearance of a female player with yellow shoes, a jersey, blue knickers and a hockey stick in hand to make it look attractive. Women's hockey teams from six countries - India, China, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand - participated in the tournament. The winning players were also presented with the mascot’s symbol.
A sparrow Queen was the mascot of the All India Civil Services Carrom Tournament 2023-24 organised by the Bihar Sports Secretariat Foundation. The mascot was designed in collaboration with Ventures Private Limited, Patna. It was named Queen after the red disc (the most powerful piece in the carrom) and also decorated like a queen. ‘Our Sparrows’ and ‘Environment Warriors', active in sparrow conservation for years, have now unveiled the mascot of a sparrow- Zubi- for various events on World Sparrow Day 2025 in Patna. The mascot is shown in a cap, coat and tie, showing the cooperation of today's corporate society and the confidence in the youth. Yellow shoes show progress and vitality with the sustainable development of society. The green hat on the head symbolizes environmental protection. The feathers on the head represent awareness of the challenge of conservation.
Also, there is a US-based financial organization 'Sparrow Financial', which is committed to empowering people marginalized by traditional credit systems. Since its inception in 2022, Sparrow Financial has been on a fast track, developing a credit card product, which paves the way for inclusivity, minimal fees, financial literacy and independence. Obviously, the sparrow was chosen as its mascot. The mascot app features sparrow sketches with interesting interaction postures. The organization believes that the brand's inspiration and choice of sparrow as a name reflects the brand's alignment with the bird's quality of resilience, community development and vitality. These qualities resonate deeply with the spirit of the sparrow's target audience and at the same time, make it a perfect symbol for the brand's mission.
The ‘Sparrow Card' app has been designed keeping in mind the financial empowerment of the cardholder and the journey towards better credit. Acting as the face of the sparrow, the mascot provides the brand with a unique, approachable personality. The mascot underpins the visual narrative of the app and creates a consistent and immersive user experience.
The colour palette for the mascot is derived from the natural colours of the bird, making the visual experience both soothing and aesthetic and it fits perfectly with the Sparrow app's user interface. However, the work that is being done to spread the message of sparrow conservation by making the bird a mascot is commendable, as the mascots are successful in attracting people, especially children and youth.
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