Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during the 116th episode of Mann Ki Baat, addressed the alarming decline in India’s sparrow population, attributing it to rapid urbanization. He lamented that many children today have only seen sparrows in pictures, unlike earlier generations who commonly spotted them on rooftops. To combat this decline, unique initiatives are being implemented to restore the sparrow population.
Highlighting the efforts of Chennai’s Kudugal Trust, PM Modi noted that the organization has successfully increased local sparrow numbers by engaging schoolchildren. The trust has taught students to build wooden birdhouses, resulting in the creation of 10,000 nests over the past four years. Similar initiatives, like Mysore’s “Early Bird” campaign, focus on educating children about bird conservation through libraries and nature kits.
PM Modi also spotlighted the Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam campaign, which has facilitated the planting of 100 million trees nationwide within five months. He expressed pride in the campaign’s international reach, mentioning that Guyana’s President Irfan Ali and his family have actively participated. The campaign has set impressive records, such as planting 1.2 million trees in a single day in Indore and 25,000 trees in one hour in Jaisalmer. In Bihar, the Jeevika self-help group aims to plant 7.5 million fruit-bearing trees, promoting both environmental and economic sustainability.
The Prime Minister further praised youth contributions to the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, emphasizing innovative approaches to recycling waste into valuable products. He highlighted inspiring examples, such as two Mumbai-based sisters who transform textile scraps into fashionable accessories, thereby promoting a sustainable lifestyle and generating employment. PM Modi’s address underscored the importance of collective action to protect biodiversity and foster an eco-friendly future.
