SUBHASH MISHRA
Dhanbad, Sept 28: Tata Steel Jharia division in collaboration with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has set up Biodiversity Park for preserving the common birds. This park is the first of its kind in the region.
In the first phase of this ambitious Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP), more than a hundred niche nests of different sizes have been crafted at the Dorabji Park Jamadoba. Some nests have also been set up on big trees of the General Manager’s office side and the Director’s Bungalow to provide a suitable habitat for birds at various locations.
The nest boxes are prepared using a scientific design and field data. A plan to distribute artificial wooden sparrow nest boxes among all the stakeholders is under consideration. That will not only popularize the idea but also draw attention toward the conservation of the species.
“ Niche nests have been installed at various locations to attract local birds for nesting and increasing biodiversity. Some of the nests have already been occupied by birds. We have extended the project for conservation of house sparrows which are vanishing in the region to create awareness on enhancing biodiversity,” said a senior officer of Tata Steel Jharia division.
According to the officials, a special focus on sparrows has been given under BMP because it is one of the most ubiquitous birds and is considered one of the more familiar winged companions of human beings. “ The house sparrow is also considered an ambassador to the common bird species. But now it is vanishing day by day. The niche nesting project aims to safeguard the house sparrow and its habitat. Loss of habitat and lack of food have been the prime reasons for driving house sparrows out of the cities”, added a Tata Steel officer.
The park has been a centre of attraction not only for bird experts of the region but also for people who visit there especially in the evening and wait for hours to take a glimpse of birds’ activities.
