World Sparrow Day: Two Ludhiana-based organisations come to rescue of feathered companions

Every year, March 20 is celebrated as “World Sparrow Day”. The theme for this year’s celebrations was “A tribute to nature’s tiny messengers’ highlighting the crucial role played by sparrows”. Two organisations from the city are doing exemplary work which is proving boon for the feathered companions.

Bhagwan Mahavir Jeev Trust and Shri Gau Rakshini Sabha are giving shelter and taking care of birds. In one of its kind initiative, twin bird towers were constructed one year ago by Bhagwan Mahavir Jeev Trust. These towers are giving shelter to more than 2,500 birds. The trust is also taking care of the injured and sick birds.

Each bird tower is 45-feet high and constructed atop a building near Govind Gaudham. The building on which towers are constructed is Pakshi Dham, which has a hospital for treating injured and sick birds.

Trust president Rakesh Jain said, “The population of sparrows is decreasing at an alarming level. These birds are close to extinction. Once a familiar sight in our backyards, house sparrows have become scarce in the urban areas due to our growing disconnection from the nature and biodiversity.”

He said it was the fast disappearance of sparrows had become a cause of consideration. He thought of developing such a place where birds could be nestled. Jainism had a special place for birds and animals and these birds were Godly to him, he said.

When asked how the idea of building towers stuck him, Jain shared he got inspiration from Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh where a temple had a bird tower.

“I visited the temple and got in touch with some Gujarat-based artistes, who had constructed the tower. I brought them to Ludhiana for construction of the tower. The raw material was also brought from Gujarat. It took nine months for the completion of the tower,” he said.

Devotees visiting Govind Gaudham to pay obeisance to Lord Krishna also make sure to visit this place and feed birds along with cows,” Jain said.

Jaikrishan Sardana from Shri Gau Rakshini Sabha said they were building a bird hospital with the help of the DMCH. He said the sabha was feeding thousands of birds atop building located near Pracheen Gaushala every day.

“We have constructed shelters for injured birds. Birds are treated and kept here till they are able to fly again,” he said. “Birds, especially house sparrow is also one of the oldest companions of human beings. Over a period of time, these birds have evolved with us and need to be preserved,” Sardana said.