World Sparrow Day is observed every year to raise awareness about the conservation of the House Sparrow (Passer domesticus), a small bird that has lived in close association with humans for centuries. WSD was celebrated on 20 March because this time marks the beginning of spring in many regions, when the House Sparrow becomes more active and starts its breeding season. The date was chosen by the NGO Nature Forever Society when it launched the initiative in 2010. The House Sparrow is also recognized as the state bird of Delhi, highlighting its cultural and ecological importance in India.

The House Sparrow is regarded as both a flagship and an indicator species. As a flagship species, it represents the conservation of a wider group of birds that share similar habitats. Birds such as Bulbuls, Tits, Mynahs, and Pigeons depend on similar resources including insects, grains, trees, and nesting sites. Thus, protecting sparrows indirectly supports the survival of many other bird species. At the same time, sparrows function as indicator species because their presence or decline reflects the condition of the surrounding environment. A reduction in sparrow numbers may indicate problems such as declining insect populations, loss of green spaces, pollution, or architectural changes that eliminate nesting sites.

Sparrows have specific ecological requirements........

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