To get birds chirping near your house, artificial nests are a good option
FARIDKOT :The increasingly urban landscape and jungles of concrete in the city are losing out on the sweet chirping of birds, with not enough trees left for the avians to build their nest. Ensuring that the sweet melody returns is possible, courtesy artificial nests.
An artificial nest provides a platform to common bird species for breeding. The bird collects the rest of the material. Faridkot-based organisation, BEERH (Birds Environment and Earth Reviving Hand), is in the mission of building these artificial nests in rural and urban areas in Malwa since 2011 and has built 8,000 nests. Ferozepur, Moga, Faridkot, Barnala and Bathinda are the districts covered.
The society specialises in building nests for 15 birds, including House Sparrows, Pigeon, Parrot, Myna, some species of Owl, Robin, and Indian rollers.
Costs, modalities and benefits
“We make nests of clay and wood. A clay nest costs between ₹50 and ₹100 and takes 10 days to make. A wooden nest costs around ₹300 and can be made in a day,” said Gurpeet Singh, a member of the society. Another member Zia Gill said, “The House Sparrow requires a small nest size and needs to be installed at a nook at a height of 8foot in the house.”
Punjab Biodiversity Board, a statutory body under the ministry of environment and forests, backs the concept.
“Artificial nests are helpful for common bird species, especially in urban areas. As a lasting solution to the dwindling number of birds in urban spaces, people should plant native trees, rather than fancy trees like pine,” said Gurharmohinder Singh, senior scientific officer with the Punjab Biodiversity Board.
Faridkot wildlife officer Tajinder Singh said, “The BEERH is doing a good job. Artificial nests will help birds to breed and also save small birds from big ones.”