The House Sparrow (Passer Domesticus), formerly common in our neighbourhoods, has seen a substantial drop in both urban and rural regions, indicating environmental deterioration.
This bird, known for breeding in our houses and scavenging garbage, is now listed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) indicates a concerning decline in sparrow numbers.
In Andhra Pradesh, numbers have dropped by 80%, while Kerala, Gujarat, Jammu Kashmir, and Rajasthan have seen similar drops. Coastal regions have been hit the most, with declines ranging from 70-80%.
Scientific studies show that house sparrows have coexisted with humans for millennia, if not longer.
Genetic studies indicate that house sparrows, like humans, have adapted to agricultural surroundings.
Environmentalists and wildlife specialists believe that the reduction in urban bird populations, particularly house sparrows, during the previous two decades is due to habitat changes induced by uncontrolled urbanisation and pollution in major South Asian cities.
The global collapse of the house sparrow population, which was previously widespread in metropolitan areas, is cause for severe concern.
Scientific study suggests that habitat changes, pollution, and changing feeding behaviours are all contributing to this loss.