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Nests of Hope in Manipur's Crossfire
20 Feb
Summary
- Environmentalist installs 600+ nests, saving sparrows.
- Efforts continue despite ethnic conflict and safety risks.
- Sparrows aid farmers by consuming crop pests.
Anish Ahamad, an environmentalist from Kwakta village in Manipur's Bishnupur district, is dedicated to his 'Save Sparrow' initiative, now in its seventh year. This effort aims to counteract the decline of house sparrows, vital for agriculture as they consume crop pests.
Ahamad crafts and distributes handmade sparrow nests, costing under Rs 5 each to produce. He has installed over 600 nests and distributed approximately 300 more for free, estimating a local increase of about 5,000 sparrows annually. House sparrows breed prolifically from March to September, capable of multiple broods per year.
His work takes place against the backdrop of ongoing ethnic conflict between Meiteis and Kukis, which has repeatedly interrupted his rounds since 2023. Ahamad, a Meitei Pangal, often faces dangerous conditions, with gunfire being a frequent occurrence near his home on the border of Churachandpur and Bishnupur districts.
Despite the challenges, including personal safety concerns and financial constraints, Ahamad remains committed. He received the State Wildlife Incentive Award in 2022 and 2023. His conservation efforts also include planting saplings and distributing wildlife to the forest department, all stemming from a promise to his late father.
