Ecology, Environment and Conservation Paper

IMPACTS OF THE CHANGING HOUSING PATTERNS ON THE POPULATIONS OF HOUSE SPARROW PASSER DOMESTICUS (PASSERIFORMES: PASSERIDAE) IN THE RURAL HILLS OF UTTARAKHAND: A CASE STUDY

Ritika Waldia and Jay Prakash Bhatt

Abstract

The present study was aimed to assess the impacts of the changing housing patterns on the populations of House Sparrow in the rural areas of the hills of the Pithoragarh region in Uttarakhand. The sampling sites were chosen in such a manner to include the traditional stone masonry, mixed (partially concrete), and modern concrete houses. We recorded the density of House Sparrow (using point count method), density of nest, and sex ratios in the different categories of houses at different time durations of the day. In this study (i) the traditional stone masonry houses recorded the highest density of House Sparrow and nests, (ii) changing housing patterns did not affect the sex ratio in House Sparrow and, (iii) the changing housing patterns in the rural areas of the hills of Uttarakhand appeared to be one of the causes of population decline in House Sparrow. The conservation measures we have outlined here include a comprehensive public awareness and education programmes, installation of artificial nest boxes in the houses and gardens, and protection of House Sparrow under the rules of Wildlife (Protection) Act (1972), Government of India.