Mysore/Mysuru: Parisara Snehi Team and KMPK Trust will organise a cycle rally to mark World Sparrow Day on Mar. 20 (Sunday). The rally will begin at 7 am on that day from Kote Anjaneyaswamy Temple premises to Kukkarahalli Lake to spread awareness on providing food and water to birds.

University of Mysore Vice- Chancellor Prof. G. Hemantha Kumar recently released the poster and materials of the cycle rally. He opined that there is an urgent need to convey the message of conservation of sparrows and other common birds.

He noted that the house sparrow was once the most common bird but in the past few years, this bird has been on the decline over much of its natural range, both in the urban and rural habitats.

“Lack of trees, lack of food or water, pollution, change in agricultural patterns, climate change, electromagnetic radiation released by mobile, internet and TV signals are some common reasons that have vanished these little birds from urban India,” he said.

Some of the ways one can help increase the sparrow population is placing bird feeders in any open space and stocking it up with grains like rice, wheat bajra and oats. One can also keep bird baths filled with fresh water, especially during the summer. This is the precise reason why the Wadiyars encouraged planting of trees in urban spaces where bird feeders are fixed to the tree trunks, the VC noted.

Mysuru City BJP Backward Classes Unit President Jogi Manju, chief officer Chethan, KMPK Trust President Vikram Iyengar, Parisara Snehi Team President Lohit, Ajay Shastry, Rakesh Kunchetiga, Durgaprasad, Manjunath and others were present at the press meet.   

The cycle jatha will go through Jayachamaraja Wadiyar Circle, Chamaraja Double Road, Ramaswamy Circle, Maharaja College Grounds and culminate at Kukkarahalli Lake. Free T-shirts will be given to the participants of the cycle jatha.

Those interested in joining the cycle rally can contact Mob: 98807-52727 or 81050-78070.