Once a haven for birds, Cox’s Bazar is now witnessing a rapid decline in its sparrow population, mainly due to urbanization. The familiar sight of sparrows chirping from balconies and rooftops is fading, soon to become a thing of the past. As concrete structures replace natural habitats, sparrows are disappearing fast.
In the urban ecosystem, sparrows play a role similar to tigers in forests—their presence reflects the environment’s health. Just as a declining tiger population signals an ecological crisis in the wild, the vanishing sparrows indicate worsening environmental conditions in the city.
Why Are Sparrows Disappearing?
According to ornithologists, multiple factors are responsible for the decline
deforestation and loss of nesting spaces, absence of native trees and shrubs, excessive use of concrete in construction, pesticides and chemically treated crops, radiation from mobile towers, an increasing number of hunters, and superstitions surrounding birds.
Hope for Conservation
Despite the alarming situation, environmentalists believe that sparrows in Cox’s Bazar can still be protected. They urged authorities to take immediate conservation measures to maintain the region’s rich biodiversity.
The accompanying photographs were taken at Pechardwip, Marine Drive, by Hossain Setu, a Cox’s Bazar Life photojournalist.
By Abdur Rashid Manik
Photo: Hussain Shetu
