Rakesh Khatri received the various awards including National Science Award 2020, International Green Apple Award and Earth Day Network Star. Two times, he has been mentioned in Limca Book of World Records, India for his contribution in rehabilitating sparrows by building artificial nests. A chapter about Rakesh Khatri’s work is included in the ICSC (Indian Certificate of Secondary Education) 4th Class English book. He is also a member of IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
Eco Roots Foundation builds handmade nests which will later turn into a home for sparrows. In the beginning of the project, they used to make nests with coconut shells and newspapers. Presently, jute bags and tetra packs are used for making nests. With the help of community members, they successfully created 1lakh plus nests in India.
House sparrow is the State Bird of Delhi, however rapid urbanization and deforestation damaged their natural habitats as a result of which, Sparrows struggle for their survival. An ornithological survey conducted by the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) states that “the sparrow population in Andhra Pradesh alone has dropped by 80% and in other states like Kerala, Gujarat and Rajasthan it has fallen by 20%, while the coastal areas was as sharp as 70% to 80%”.
“In my childhood I used to play with sparrows by coloring them with different organic colors since during the 70’s these birds were easily spottable. It is unpleasant to see the ever growing gap of future generations with sparrows. I don’t want them to miss the opportunity of seeing sparrows at least once in their lifetime. So, In order to pursue my dream, I quit my job in 2008 and started working for environmental conservation. Youth will play a major role while addressing the environmental problems. Thus, the foundation conducts various awareness campaigns in schools, resident welfare associations and colleges. Through these activities, we engage the youth into hands on nest making sessions, e-waste awareness campaigns, water conservation activities” told The Nest man Rakesh Khatri.
“In 2008, one gardener told me to rebuild houses for sparrows that humans have destroyed. He gave me INR 50, and asked me to continue making nests for sparrows at Garimandu city forest, near Wazirabad Signature Bridge ” adds Rakesh Khatri while remembering his initial days of nests mission.
Eco Roots foundation is planning to build a team with like minded people across India where every individual can participate in environmental conservation activities. Team Rakesh Khatri is using one nest, one bird at a time while catalyzing green recovery models.
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Photo courtesy: Ecoroots foundation
Excellent work! We would like to set up in our society as well .
We stay in Kolkata .
Hello Meena
Kindly contact Eco Roots Foundation on ecorootsfoundation@gmail.com to know more about these nest.
I want to join you and wants to work like this.
I m already running a NGO named CLEAN AND SMART INDIA from last 5 years which works for environment. I want to organise more workshops and seminars with you in our society and other societies and schools and other communities.
Hello Namita
To get associated with Eco Roots Foundation, kindly mail on ecorootsfoundation@gmail.com.
All very good and appreciated . Please advise from where one can purchase a wooden nest fo birds .
For wooden nest, kindly mail on ecorootsfoundation@gmail.com