The Innocent Sparrow Facing the Threat of Extinction

ByMirza Muhammad Ramzan

Deputy Chief Wildlife Ranger Publicity, Lahore

 In our world, mercy, love and compassion have always been considered supreme values. Charity and alms-giving is also a beautiful form of these values, whose purpose is to help the needy and show kindness to God’s creation. But it has to be said with regret that sometimes this very noble act, due to ignorance, tradition or misunderstanding, takes the form of cruelty. The killing of innocent house sparrows in the name of charity and alms is a painful example of this cruelty. People do not consider the nefarious business of buying and selling innocent sparrows under the guise of charity and alms as objectionable at all, and despite strict action, they do not refrain from this heinous act.

In our society, charity and alms are considered the best means of gaining piety, sympathy and the pleasure of Allah. But sadly, some people have turned this sacred sentiment into a cruel business for their own interests. Catching innocent house sparrows and selling them, and then selling them in the name of charity to be slaughtered or freed, so that profit can be made from buyers who come in the name of charity.

In markets, such scenes are often seen where these small sparrows are sitting in cages, frightened and in a weak condition. People buy them with the intention that they will get reward by freeing them, or in some cases slaughter them to give charity. But the question is, are we really doing a good deed or are we unknowingly promoting this cruel business?

The reality is that as long as the buying and selling of these sparrows continues, their trapping will also continue. Every person among us who buys such a sparrow, no matter how good the intention, actually strengthens this business. Thus, in the name of virtue, a chain continues whose end is only the suffering and death of these innocent birds.

This issue is not only ethical but also environmental. House sparrows are an important part of our ecosystem. A decline in their numbers can upset the balance of insects and affect the natural environment. Apart from this, it also has a negative effect on children’s minds when they see that a weak creature is being caged and sold for money.

Now the time has come for us to understand our responsibility. We have to create awareness that true virtue cannot be a cause of suffering for a voiceless creature. There are countless better ways of charity and alms – feeding a poor person, helping a sick person, planting a tree, or keeping water and grain for birds.

We should boycott such businesses. Instead of buying sparrows, we should make people aware of its harms. Educational institutions, mosques and the media also have to play a role in this regard so that correct awareness is created among the public.

Let us all pledge together that we will not let our virtue become a source of cruelty. We will respect the freedom and life of these innocent sparrows, and build a society where charity truly becomes mercy and not torment for someone. This is not just an issue, but a test of our humanity. The population of the house sparrow is decreasing all over the world, so public awareness is very necessary. Therefore, we should:

Provide space for nests in homes, install small nests in walls, roofs or trees so that sparrows get safe housing. Ensure supply of clean water, keep fresh water in pots or bowls so that sparrows can quench their thirst. Provide natural food, keep wheat, millet or rice grains in open places so that sparrows can easily get food. Plant trees and plants, planting local plants and trees gives sparrows a natural environment and food. Use less pesticides, more chemicals destroy the sparrows’ food (insects), so reduce their use. Create awareness among children, conduct activities and speeches in schools so that the new generation understands this issue. Increase green spaces in urban areas, promote parks and gardens so that sparrows get a natural environment. Run local community campaigns, organize campaigns and awareness programs at the neighborhood level. Every year, raise awareness about the importance and protection of the sparrow. Remember that if these measures are taken collectively, they can play an important role in saving the house sparrow species.

This small sparrow, which chirps in our courtyards, roofs and trees, is a symbol of the beauty of nature and life. Its existence is not only important for the balance of the environment but it also gives us a message of simplicity, freedom and happiness. Just think! Can taking the life of a voiceless and harmless bird really be a virtue? Does God require such a sacrifice from us that is given by taking the life of a weak one? The truth is that both religion and ethics teach us mercy, justice and respect for life, not senseless killing.

Often people do this act only because they have seen others doing it, or they have been told that it wards off calamities, but we need to understand that the real meaning of virtue is not taking someone’s life but saving someone’s life, feeding a hungry person, helping someone in need and making the environment safe.

We as a society have to seriously consider this attitude. It is the responsibility of parents, teachers and religious leaders to give correct education and make people understand that there are better and more civilized ways of charity and alms. If we really want good, we have to promote kindness with living creatures and not seek reward by taking their life.

Let us all pledge together to stop this cruelty. We will leave the little sparrows free, and keep water and grain for them. This is the path that can make us a better human and a member of a civilized society. This is not just an appeal, but a cry. These birds, which are a beautiful creation of nature, are actually trapped in nets in an organized manner. Hunters and traders catch these innocent sparrows in different ways – sometimes by putting grain, sometimes by laying nets, and sometimes by destroying their nests. Their only purpose is to catch as many sparrows as possible and sell them in the market.

In markets, such scenes are often seen where these small sparrows are sitting in cages, frightened and in a weak condition. People buy them with the intention that they will get reward by freeing them, or in some cases slaughter them to give charity. But the question is, are we really doing a good deed or are we unknowingly promoting this cruel business?

The reality is that as long as the buying and selling of these sparrows continues, their trapping will also continue. Every person among us who buys such a sparrow, no matter how good the intention, actually strengthens this business. Thus, in the name of virtue, a chain continues whose end is only the suffering and death of these innocent birds.

This issue is not only ethical but also environmental. House sparrows are an important part of our ecosystem. A decline in their numbers can upset the balance of insects and affect the natural environment. Apart from this, it also has a negative effect on children’s minds when they see that a weak creature is being caged and sold for money.

Now the time has come for us to understand our responsibility. We have to create awareness that true virtue cannot be a cause of suffering for a voiceless creature. There are countless better ways of charity and alms – feeding a poor person, helping a sick person, planting a tree, or keeping water and grain for birds.

We should boycott such businesses. Instead of buying sparrows, we should make people aware of its harms. Educational institutions, mosques and the media also have to play a role in this regard so that correct awareness is created among the public.

Let us all pledge together that we will not let our virtue become a source of cruelty. We will respect the freedom and life of these innocent sparrows, and build a society where charity truly becomes mercy and not torment for someone. This is not just an issue, but a test of our humanity. The population of the house sparrow is decreasing all over the world, so public awareness is very necessary. The Department of Wildlife & Parks Punjab is working diligently to prevent the netting, business and smuggling of innocent wild birds, especially house sparrows, quails, partridges, parrots, starlings and mynas, and is closely monitoring all hotspots in the province to stop the nefarious and condemnable business of illegal netting and trade of these innocent wild birds. However, these efforts of the department will only prove beneficial when awareness of the importance and usefulness of these innocent birds is also created among the public.

Although the department is effectively using various tools of mass media for public awareness in this regard, stopping this nefarious business without public cooperation is a serious challenge. Therefore, the public should immediately inform the department’s helpline 1107 in case of illegal trade, hunting and trapping of wild birds and become an assistant to the department in the protection and promotion of wildlife.