KARACHI: The provincial wildlife authorities on Monday rescued 635 birds from two places in the city.

Officials said that 375 red-vented bulbul and 150 house sparrows were rescued from the Empress Market.

A total of 110 house sparrows were confiscated from vendors selling the birds near Kala Pul. The birds were later released in Malir.

“Acting on a tip-off, we raided a spot at the Empress Market where we found house sparrows and red-vented bulbul in cages left near a shop. No suspect could be arrested,” wildlife officer Ashfaq Ali Memon told Dawn.

The official, who is currently posted at the Empress Market, said that investigation into the case was continuing.

“All shopkeepers at the Empress Market have been informed about the law on wildlife species and they have been asked to cooperate,” he said.

According to experts, the avian population across the city has declined drastically over the years.

They blame multiple factors for this phenomenon including shrinking green spaces, growing urbanisation, use of pesticides, release of hazardous radiation from mobile phone towers as well as rampant poaching.

Given this situation, the provincial wildlife authorities launched on March 17 “Let’s count the sparrows” campaign with an aim to create public awareness about sparrow conservation and protection. The result of the counting would be released on Wednesday (tomorrow) to mark World Sparrow Day.

Published in Dawn, March 19th, 2024