World Sparrow Day (March 20, 2023)

World Sparrow Day is observed on March 20 every year. The motive of the day is to raise awareness about house sparrows and the need for their conservation. The Nature Forever Society of India and the Eco-Sys Action Foundation of France came up with the idea of World Sparrow Day. Mohammed Dilawar, a passionate conservationist, founded the Society.

The sparrow population is affected by factors such as increased noise pollution, loss of habitat, predation etc. World Sparrow Day is an opportunity to examine the close relationship between sparrows and humans and advocate for the conservation of these bird species.

World Sparrow Day 2023

World Sparrow Day urges the young nature lovers among us to love and care for the birds. Sparrows are a bird species associated closely with humans. Mohammed Dilawar founded the Nature Forever Society in 2008 to advocate for the conservation of the house sparrow. In 2008, Time magazine named him one of the "Heroes of the Environment."

On World Sparrow Day 2023, let us take a pledge to look after these amazing bird species that share our habitat. Especially as the summer season approaches, let us ensure that we provide them with shade and drink. We have shared an overview of World Sparrow Day here.

World Sparrow Day 2023 Theme

Every year on March 20, various countries worldwide commemorate World Sparrow Day. Every year, a different theme is chosen for the event. "I LOVE Sparrows" is the theme for World Sparrow Day 2023. This theme was set with the aim to encourage a larger crowd to participate in safeguarding the sparrow population.

Growing up, we all had a special relationship with sparrows. The World Sparrow Day 2023 theme "I LOVE Sparrows" aims at reminding people of the bond they share with the birds and other creatures around them.

World Sparrow Day History

The history of World Sparrow Day can be traced to March 20, 2010, when the inaugural event was observed. Following that, this day is commemorated every year worldwide to raise awareness about house sparrows and other common birds threatened by the environment. Here is more about the history of World Sparrow Day:

• The India-based Nature Forever Society (NFS) has launched an international campaign to commemorate World Sparrow Day.
• This organisation collaborates with the Eco-Sys Action Foundation in France. Mohammed Dilawar, an Indian conservationist who began assisting house sparrows in Nasik, formed the Nature Forever Society.
• TIME Magazine named him one of the "Heroes of the Environment" for 2008.

How to Celebrate World Sparrow Day

Sparrows live in backyards and green patches in metropolitan areas. Still, "their population has been declining in the last two decades. World Sparrow Day 2023 aims to encourage youngsters and others to respect sparrow habitats. Here is how you can celebrate World Sparrow Day:

• Creating habits beneficial to sparrows - We can do things to have more greenery, which will attract sparrows to visit us more often, in addition to instructing our children to maintain a bowl of water and grains on the balcony for sparrows to dine on.
• Take the kids for a sparrow walk - On World Sparrow Day, go for a neighbourhood sparrow walk early in the morning. Remember to bring binoculars and a camera to spot the birds.
• Make sparrow posters - Make paintings and posters of sparrows and other birds who frequent your balcony this aids in the development of avian awareness.
• Raise awareness - Contribute to social media campaigns and public events on World Sparrow Day 2023.

Facts about Sparrows

• Males have reddish backs with black bibs, while females have brown backs with stripes. A male sparrow is also slightly larger than a female sparrow.
• Flocks of sparrows dwell in colonies.
• They can swim quickly if they detect danger.
• Sparrows are not territorial; instead, they protect their nests and create them.
• Male sparrows build nests to attract female sparrows.
• The house sparrow (Passer Domesticus) belongs to the Passeridae family of sparrows.
• Because they are so closely tied to human habitations, house sparrows can live in urban and rural areas

FAQs on World Sparrow Day

Q1. When do we celebrate World Sparrow Day?

We celebrate World Sparrow Day on March 20 every year. This day is an initiative of the Nature Forever Society (India) to raise awareness about the growing threats to the house sparrow population. World Sparrow Day is celebrated in different parts of the world annually.

Q2. What is the theme of World Sparrow Day 2023?

World Sparrow Day 2023 theme revolves around expressing love for sparrows. Sparrows are cute little birds found in human habitations in both urban and rural areas. World Sparrow Day is an initiative by the Nature Forever Society to raise awareness about the ecological importance and decreasing population of sparrows.

Q3. Why do we celebrate World Sparrow Day?

World Sparrow Day is celebrated to raise awareness about house sparrows and the threats they face. The population of house sparrows is dwindling due to factors such as pollution, predation, unsafe habitats, etc. Through the medium of World Sparrow Day, we aim to restore the population of these birds.

Q4. When was the first World Sparrow Day celebrated?

The first World Sparrow Day was celebrated on March 20, 2010. This day was celebrated in many countries around the world. The organizers of the first World Sparrow Day were the Nature Forever Society, an Indian NGO working for the conservation of house sparrows since 2006.

Q5. Who funded the World Sparrow Day initiative?

Mohammed Dilawar was the first person to fund the World Sparrow Day initiative. Mohammed Dilawar is also the founder of the Nature Forever Society and he has received many awards for supporting the cause. Today, World Sparrow Day has become an international phenomenon with many investors.

Q6. Who started World Sparrow Day?

The Nature Forever Society started World Sparrow Day in 2010. Nature Forever Society is an Indian NGO founded by Mohammed Dilawar, working for the conservation of sparrows. The aim of World Sparrow Day is to highlight the decreasing population of house sparrows and take action to conserve the species.