The impact of various human activities have led to destruction of natural habitats of many birds and animals. Temperatures are rising steadily and most of the water bodies are drying up. This calls up for an immediate action to be taken. Vinayak Vangapalli is a 24- year old postgraduate student from Bidar, Karnataka, who has come up with an innovative and different way to feed the birds and is a source of inspiration to the budding nature conservationists. He is the member of Bidar Photographic Society.
In talks with Vinayak:
1) What was that urge that made you care for birds?
It all started in 2015-2016, when Bidar faced horrid summer leading to draught. I saw many birds dying due to lack of availability of water. I grew up in a neighbourhood full of birds and I am accustomed to their chirping. We kept bowls of water and grains for the birds. This has been a great source of encouragement for me to contribute in saving birds which was in a very small scale just in the premises of my home.
2) Who has been your inspiration behind this motive?
My grandparents were the first people to instil this spirit inside me. I consider Dr. Prakash Baba Amte, who treats all the animals as his friends, my main inspiration
3) Tell us about “Metal Tripod” technique
The main challenge was the safety of birds, as large number of birds were landing it turned out to be a feast for cats. Initially I used to keep seeds and water on the ground, then I came up with the idea of “Metal Tripods”. Metal tripods are designed in such a way that we can place two bowls, one at a height of 5 feet and other at 4 feet, which is difficult for the cats to attack. This arrangement occupies less than 1 sq.ft.
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4) Highlight on how you executed this technique
We brought half a quintal of Niger millet as it can be stored easily without the need of refrigeration. Specially designed earthen pots are used for this which I have installed in various locations of our colony and college. Over the two years , with this initiative growing there are more than thousands of birds that come to feed from these stands.
These days, within minutes of spreading grains and pouring water in the tripod, birds fly into garden. Everyday we wake up to chirping of birds. Cattle and pets are fed at least once in a day by their owners, but birds are on their own, this is why we thought we should do something about this.
5) Tell us about “Bird Magnet”
It is a combined idea of mine and my friend Sainath Sharma. It went like this, recording the chirping sounds and calls of birds on a mobile phone which can be kept hidden inside the bush in the garden. This attracts the birds in the hordes. We then keep millet and water in the earthen pots placed on the tripods. Another end of this initiative is distribution of sapling of “Japanese Cherry Plant” or the “Bird Magnet” which tends to attract over 40 varieties of birds.
6) What kind of support do you receive from your friends and family?
My parents are a prime source of encouragement for me both morally and emotionally. My friends have taken this initiative forward by doing their part of work. Lot of people call up and ask “where to find these feeders?”. We at BPS document varieties, number, habitat and other details of birds native to Bidar and other migratory birds.
