A two-day census of the capital’s sparrow population by the Forest Department and city-based organisation Writers’ and Nature Lovers’ Forum counted 246 sparrows in the Connemara Market and the markets at Chalai and Attakulangara. As part of raising awareness about house sparrows (Passer domesticus) among the people, Forest Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan will declare the Connemara Market at Palayam as the first ‘Sparrow Park’ in the state on Wednesday.
He will also unveil a plaque which will have details about sparrows and the survey results. The function, jointly organised by the city-based and the Forest Department, will be held at the market premises at 3.30 pm.
‘’The survey had covered Connemara Market, Chalai and East Fort areas and we counted 246 birds in all. It is generally considered that the sparrow population in the capital’s market places has been on the decline for the past several years. But we can’t say that with any amount of certainty as few surveys have been conducted in the past,’’ said C Rahim, convener Writers’ and Nature Lovers’ Forum.
The survey was conducted on April 21 and 22. Attempts to woo the sparrows back to the capital also have met with a certain degree of success. Forty-three of the 50 nests set up at Connemara Market in 2011 are now occupied, one reason why this market was chosen to be the first ‘Sparrow Park.’
The initiative had received massive support from the traders there. Mayor K Chandrika, Principal Chief Conservator of Forests B S Corrie, Assistant Conservator P K Jayakumar Sharma and ward councillor Palayam Rajan also will attend Wednesday’s function.