“IIS officer Sanjay Kumar champions the survival of the humble house sparrow with unwavering dedication and innovative efforts, writes Ramashankar”

THE SUNDAY STANDARD. NEW DELHI SUNDAY. 25 AUGUST 2024 / IN the serene corners of Bihar, where the old old world charm meets the relentless pace of mo-dernity, a story, both touching and inspira-tional, unfolds. Amidst the sprawling urban growth of Patna, one man has taken it upon himself to preserve a fragment of our natural herit age the humble house spar row. This man is Sanjay Kumar, an Indian Information Service (IIS) officer whose passion for conservation has become a bea con of hope for these diminu-tive creatures.

Sanjay Kumar’s journey into sparrow conservation began with a profound moment of connection. On a blistering June afternoon in 2007, Kumar was drawn into his kitchen by an unusual sound. There, he encountered a sparrow, its tiny form perched anxiously by the tap, desperately trying to drink. The bird’s struggle against the heat, its panting and open beak, touched Kumar deeply. This seemingly trivial encounter with a thirsty sparrow sparked a profound change in Kumar’s life, igniting a mission to pro-tect these birds whose presence had once been ubiquitous in In-dian homes but was now fading

into memory What followed was nothing short of extraordinary Kumar, who serves as the Deputy Di-rector of the Press Information Bureau (PIB) in Patna, found his life divided between the de-mands of his professional role and his burgeoning commit-ment to sparrow conservation. His dedication transcends tra-ditional conservation efforts. Kumar has devoted countless hours to researching, docu-menting, and advocating for the house sparrow, a bird now struggling against the tides of urbanization and environmen tal change. Kumar’s literary contributions are a testament to his commitment.

Abhi His trilogy Main Zinda Hu Gauraiya’ (2021), ‘O Ri Gauraiya’ (2023), and Aao Gau-raiya (2024) reflect his profound engagement with the cause. Each book delves into the life of the sparrow, captur ing its charm, its struggles, and the urgent need for conserva tion. These works are not just books but calls to action, blend ing scientific insights with heartfelt narratives to inspire readers to join the cause, In 2016, the Bihar govern ment recognized Kumar’s re-lentless efforts, honouring him for his contributions to spar

row conservation. This ac knowledgment was more than a ceremonial gesture; it was a re flection of the tangible impact of his work. Despite this recog nition, Kumar’s resolve has only only grown stronger. He has taken his advocacy further by launching the ‘Save Sparrow app, a digital platform designed to mobilise support and disseminate key infor mation about sparrow conservation. The app is an innovative tool that brings together enthusiasts and activists, creating a community dedicated to reversing the de-cline of house sparrows.

The challenges facing house sparrows are manifold and deeply intertwined with the modern lifestyle. Urbanisation has led to the loss of tradition-al nesting sites-old buildings with thatched roofs and open courtyards have been replaced by high-rise apartments and sleek office buildings. Kumar observes with a sense of nos talgia how, in the past, court-yards were filled with grains and discarded food, which sparrows would feast upon. To day, these practices have large ly vanished, replaced by pack-aged foods and refrigeration. This shift has deprived spar rows of their primary food sources, pushing them further into decline.

Kumar’s vision extends be-yond individual action, to a broader, more systemic ap-proach. He advocates for com prehensive governmental prenen support. port, including assess ment of sparrow populations, provision of food and water resources, and installation of artificial nests. His ideas also encompass aggressive affores tation campaigns to address habitat loss.

Kumar’s approach is one of harmony, envisioning a future where urban development and ecological preservation coex ists. He believes with thought-ful planning, cities can be de-signed to accommodate both the needs of both humans and wildlife sharing these spaces,

The plight of the house spar row is not confined to India. It is a global issue reflecting a broader environmental crisis. In cities like London and across North America, sparrow popu lations have dwindled alarm ingly. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds in the UK has placed the house sparrow on its Red List, a stark indica

tor of its declining numbers This 1 global context under scores the urgency of Kumar’s work, highlighting that the challenges facing house spar rows are part of a larger pat tern of environmental degra dation. Yet amid challenges, Kumar remains an undaunted champion. His advocacy ex-tends beyond policy and re-search, reaching into the daily lives of ordinary people.

Through his writings, his app, and public engagements, Kumar encourages individuals to take small but impactful steps toward sparrow conser-vation. He promotes the simple act of placing water bowls in. balconies, creating makeshift. nesting sites, and and spreading awareness about the needs of these birds. Kumar believes that collective action can re-armw store the fortunes of fortunes of sparrows, making their cheerful chirping a common sound once again.

Education and empathy are central to Kumar’s philosophy He emphasizes the importance of teaching younger genera tions to appreciate and respect wildlife. In his outreach efforts, Kumar engages with schools and local communities, organ-izing workshops to create bird feeders and nesting boxes from everyday materials. These ac tivities not only provide practi cal solutions but also foster a sense of responsibility and care for the environment in young minds. Kumar envisions a future where children grow up with a deep connection to nature, carrying forward the values of conservation and re-

spect for all living beings. Sanjay Kumar’s story is more than a narrative of one man’s efforts to save a bird; it is a pow-erful testament to the enduring power of passion and persever-ance. His work illustrates how a single individual’s dedication can spark a movement, creat-ing ripples of change that ex-tend far beyond their immedi-ate surroundings. Kumar’s journey is a reminder that each of us has the potential to make a difference, to contribute to the preservation of our natural world in our own way.

In essence, Sanjay Kumar’s mission to save the house spar row is a celebration of life an acknowledgment of the intri-cate balance of our ecosystems and the responsibility we have to maintain it. Through his tireless efforts, Kumar has be come a catalyst for change.

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