Grooming marriage guests in conserving sparrows

Vadodara: When guests turned up at the marriage of Ali Asgar Vohra on Thursday, the return gifts left many surprised. Twenty-five-year-old Vohra, a bird enthusiast, gave away sparrow nests and water bowls to the guests at his wedding venue on Ajwa Road. Amid this hectic schedule, he also educated the guests about the importance of conserving the sparrows that are fast diminishing from the urban landscape.
“Many guests were surprised, but when I told them the purpose of distributing sparrow nests, they happily accepted the return gift. They also promised to install the nests and water bowls at their home,” an Vohra, a research scholar in MS University’s zoology department, told TOI.

He along with his wife Rukaihya distributed about 120 earthen nests and equal number of water bowls.

When asked why he chose to gift sparrow nests, Vohra said that he has been studying about sparrows in the urban areas over last eight years. “I realized is that sparrows no longer have proper place to make nests in the new homes because of concrete terraces. Sparrows prefer to stay near homes and they need small burrows in walls to make nests. But most homes don’t use wood and in flats the doors are always closed,” Vohra said.

“So sparrows don’t get any space to make nests. I wanted to spread awareness about dwindling number of sparrows and educate citizens about sharing space with this little bird and marriage was the best occasion. I am settling down and starting a new life at my home so I want that sparrows too should get a place to settle,” Vohra added.

Asked how his family reacted to his decision, Vohra said: “They were a bit shocked. But when I explained them the reasons, they cooperated. My mother, in fact, said that she is proud of me for taking up such cause,” he added.

Vohra has been working for the cause of sparrows by distributing nests and water bowls in different areas of the city. He also meets schoolchildren and educates them about conserving sparrows.