00:06In a quiet locality of Sambalpur city, the chirping of birds quickly draws attention.
00:11Passers by often pause, wondering where the lively chorus is coming from.
00:15It sounds like a park or perhaps a small forest nearby.
00:19But the source of the sound is something unexpected, a house.
00:25This is the home of Prados Kumar Acharya, a professor in the Department of Botany at Gangadhar Meher University.
00:32Inside the house, more than a hundred birds live in specially designed cages and enclosures.
00:37In addition, several nests have been installed across the house to attract wild birds,
00:43including the rapidly disappearing house sparrow.
00:45Due to pollution and changing environment, the number of birds like house sparrows is decreasing.
00:54I thought if we create a safe place for them at home, they can survive and people will also become
01:02aware.
01:04Interestingly, Acharya's journey into bird conservation began with just two birds.
01:08He built a large enclosure with proper air, light, food and water facilities.
01:13Soon, the birds started laying eggs and their numbers gradually increased.
01:19Concerned about the disappearing house sparrow, Acharya also began hanging cotton nests around his house.
01:26Gradually, sparrows started visiting the house and many eventually made it their home.
01:33When we wake up in the morning and hear the birds chirping, it feels very peaceful.
01:38The house never feels empty because of them.
01:41According to Acharya, birds play an important role in maintaining biodiversity.
01:46By eating fruits and spreading seeds, they help new plants grow in different places.
01:52The sound of birds makes the atmosphere very beautiful.
01:55Even while studying, their natural sound helps us concentrate.
01:59Today, this home in Sambalpur is not just a house filled with birds.
02:03It has become a small sanctuary and a simple example of how conservation can begin right at home.
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