Feeders & earthen water pots to the rescue of small birds, animals

Pune: Residents of housing societies are setting up feeders and shallow watering trays to help birds and small animals as summer intensifies and dehydration cases rise.
Roseland Residency in Pimple Saudagar has installed 100 feeders, 300 nest boxes and 60 water pots. "The earthen pots keep the water cold and car washers in the society refill them every morning. We invited 32 societies from the area on World Sparrow Day to encourage them to take similar measures," said society resident Chandan Chaurisia, who took up the project along with senior citizen member Surendra Jain and other volunteers.
Sanskruti Society in Wakad set up eight bird feeders, nests and pots of water for birds. "There are more sparrows, parrots and small birds flocking to the society now. We plan to put in place additional pots of water soon," said Prashant Patil, committee member, Sanskruti Society (phase 3).
YS Gour, chairman of the Panchavati Utkarsh Seva Sanstha, said that apart from bird feeders in individual homes, the group also set up two concrete bird feeders with the civic body's help at the Panchavati Forest Garden (Vetal Tekdi). "We also put out seven pots in different parts of the forest garden and we see even peacocks come to drink water," he said.
Suhas Patwardhan, chairman, Pune District Coop Housing Federation, said, "We have been spreading awareness among all societies, which have started to take many environment-friendly measures to help small birds and animals."
Sameer Rupade, vice-chairman of Sun City Society on Sinhagad Road, said they keep drinking water in several parts of the society for birds. "We avoid keeping food because there are many stray dogs around. We now see many birds bathing in and drinking water from the pots," he said.
Nikhil Jadhav, a resident of Kothrud, rescued several parrots and crows from the intense summer, last year . "Most of the birds were dehydrated and my friend and I tended to them and nursed them back to good health. This year, I have set up several pots in my society and surrounding areas," he said.
ResQ Charitable Trust said in March, there were upwards of 130 dehydration cases (birds, mammals, and reptiles). Black kites, house crows, parakeets, barn owls and barbets were some of the common birds affected.
Manohar Deshpande, a resident of Karvenagar, is also making special efforts to ensure that birds have access to food and water. "We have made special arrangements on our terrace. We put roti, rice and a tray of water. Many birds and squirrels come daily," he said.
Dattatray Deshmukh, chairman of Pimpri Chinchwad Cooperative Housing Societies Federation, said this summer, many of the societies in the area are taking special interest in conservation. "There were many activities around World Sparrow Day and we soon help societies with rainwater harvesting before the monsoon," he said.