At 73, retired government officer Nellai Moorthy from Vikramasingapuram in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, continues an extraordinary, grassroots campaign to support declining sparrow populations and local ecology.
Over the past seven years, he has made and distributed more than 24,000 handmade sparrow nests free of cost to schoolchildren, neighbours and villagers, addressing critical shortages of safe bird shelter even as seasonal and resident bird movements increase across the region.
Alongside nest distribution and awareness efforts, Moorthy coordinates community drives to plant tens of thousands of palm seeds in ponds and water bodies, working with students and volunteers.
Supported by local residents and admired by conservationists, his work reflects broader wildlife revival efforts in Tamil Nadu, where bird populations and biodiversity monitoring have gained traction through both official and citizen science initiatives.
A Lifetime Devoted to Small Wings and Big Change
Moorthy’s environmental mission did not begin as a declared project or a headline-grabber, but from a simple observation outside his home in Vikramasingapuram: sparrows were returning for food but lacked safe places to nest.
The house sparrow (Passer domesticus) a species that once thrived in India’s towns and villages has faced habitat loss and reduced nesting sites due to urbanisation, changing building structures, and fewer natural cavities for nesting.
Determined to make a difference, Moorthy began crafting handmade nests from cardboard, stitched with thread to avoid sharp edges that could hurt the birds. These nests, designed to last up to four years and shelter several sparrows at once, quickly became more than a hobby; they became a routine part of his mornings.
Each dawn, Moorthy would scatter millet and sorghum grains conducive to sparrow feeding and install new nests around his neighbourhood.
What began as a handful of nests soon led to a broader mission: over 24,000 nests distributed free across schools and villages in the district over seven years. Moorthy often hands out pamphlets alongside nests, educating families and children about sparrow ecology, the birds’ role in pest control, and the importance of coexistence. “They are part of our ecosystem,” he has noted in community discussions, urging awareness and humane care.
Beyond Nests: Planting Seeds for a Greener Tomorrow
Moorthy’s environmental activism extends well beyond nest-making. Recognising that bird habitat depends on more than food and shelter, he began planting palm seeds in and around local ponds, lakes and water bodies.
Over the past five years, he has planted close to 50,000 seeds, with an annual target of at least 10,000. These palms native, hardy trees help improve water retention, reduce soil erosion, and boost microhabitats where insects and birds thrive.
Students from nearby schools and volunteers have joined Moorthy in these plantation drives, turning conservation work into a community activity that blends education with real-world action. Many participants recount how planting trees and watching them grow has nurtured a deeper respect for nature among young people a key part of fostering long-term ecological stewardship.
Moorthy also uses his modest monthly pension around ₹10,000 to buy bird feed and materials for nest-making, underscoring his personal commitment to the cause. Neighbours and local residents frequently pitch in, helping source supplies or assisting in awareness campaigns.
The cumulative effect has been positive: not only have more sparrows been sighted around these habitats, but local birdwatchers and forest volunteers have reported increased sightings of various migratory species in recent months, corroborating broader biodiversity interest across Tamil Nadu.
Context: Wider Bird Conservation Trends in Tamil Nadu
Moorthy’s work comes at a time when avian conservation is gaining visibility across the state. In the south of Tamil Nadu, bird enthusiasts and forest officials have recently documented the presence of over 120 species of rare birds in Virudhunagar district during a bird census that involved trained volunteers and community members. Such reports signal robust bird activity and highlight the importance of local habitats for both resident and migratory species.
Additionally, thousands of rosy starlings migratory birds that travel from Central Asia and Eastern Europe have been recorded in large numbers across wetlands and agricultural landscapes in districts such as Thoothukudi, drawing attention to changing patterns of bird movement and habitat utilisation.
These broader ecological phenomena underscore why efforts like Moorthy’s focused on shelter and habitat are growing in relevance; urbanisation and habitat loss have pushed community groups and individuals toward action to sustain biodiversity.
State forest departments, NGOs and educational bodies have also undertaken bird conservation projects, from distributing nesting boxes across rural villages to conducting synchronized bird surveys. These efforts complement individual initiatives such as Moorthy’s, reinforcing a shared responsibility for conservation at multiple levels.
The Logical Indian’s Perspective
In a world where climate anxiety often dominates headlines, Nellai Moorthy’s story stands as a powerful reminder that individual compassion can translate into sustained, constructive change.
Through patience, creativity and community engagement, he has rekindled local interest in sparrows birds once taken for granted while sowing seeds for broader ecological awareness. His actions resonate with The Logical Indian’s values of empathy, coexistence and shared stewardship of our natural world.
