Odisha Records 83,576 House Sparrows in First Statewide Census

Bhubaneswar/Chhatrapur, Apr 28 (BNP): Odisha has carried out its first-ever statewide census of house sparrows for 2025–26, recording a total population of 83,576 birds across various districts.

The survey was conducted by Bhubaneswar-based organisation Wildlife Odisha Foundation, marking a significant step in tracking the status of the once-common urban bird species.

According to the findings, house sparrows were spotted in both rural and urban habitats across the state, indicating their continued presence despite concerns over declining populations in many parts of the country.

Conservation experts said the exercise will help establish a baseline for future studies and support efforts to protect biodiversity and urban bird habitats. They added that such data-driven monitoring is important for understanding environmental changes and guiding conservation strategies.

Officials involved in the study noted that the census highlights the importance of citizen participation and awareness in wildlife conservation, especially for species closely associated with human settlements.

The initiative is expected to be continued in the coming years to monitor trends and assess changes in sparrow populations across the state.