R. Gurusamy, a resident of Gandhavayal near Sirumugai, turned teacher for the students of Panchayat Union Primary School of Gandhavayal on a rare subject on Tuesday.
A farmer by profession, Mr. Gurusamy has been into conservation of house sparrows (Passer domesticus), a community bird that is slowly disappearing in urban areas, for over 10 years.
More than 25 students and teachers were taken on a tour to the residence and surroundings of Mr. Gurusamy in a joint initiative by WWF India and Tamil Nadu Forest Department on World Sparrow Day on Wednesday. Forest staff of Sirumugai Range and community members took part in the event. Gurusamy who conserves hundreds of house sparrows around his house spoke to the students on conservation issues of sparrows and measures to be taken to protect them.
“I started growing trees around house, provided water and grains and kept the area free of disturbance. My family has been taking care of sparrows since 2007 and the numbers have increased over the years,” said Mr. Gurusamy.
A team of WWF India including Landscape Coordinator D. Boominathan, Thomas Samuel and S. Saravanan briefed the students about the habitat and habits of sparrows, threats and how they can contribute to the conservation of sparrows. “One of the reasons for drastic decline of sparrows was major shift from traditional house construction to concrete buildings,” Mr. Boominathan said.
E.N. Manoharan, Forest Range Officer of Sirumugai, said that citizens like Gurusamy were doing a commendable job and setting an example for others to follow. “By providing a safe space for sparrows to roost and nest, and providing them food and water, we can all contribute to the conservation of sparrows”, he said.
S. Saravanan of WWF India observed that sparrows play an important ecological role in controlling pests. “Because most modern houses are not suitable for them to nest, we can provide nesting boxes and support them with some supplementary feed, as they cannot forage very far,” he said.
On Wednesday, WWF India organised an awareness programme at Shah Fulchand Virchand Government High School, Seeranaickenpalayam. Students of Class IX, headmaster Saravanan, and office-bearers of the alumni association planted saplings of Indian gooseberry and jamun on the school grounds.
