Bareilly: Bareilly is witnessing a heartwarming example of how individual action can heal the wounds of urbanization. As rapid development continues to claim trees and silence once-busy avenues, a young environmentalist is ensuring that the city’s birds do not lose their homes forever.
Ankit Yadav, state president of the Jagruk Yuva Sangh (Aware Youth Association), has earned the nickname “Bird Man of Bareilly” for his unique campaign—distributing free wooden nests, or gharaondas, to households across the city. His initiative, launched a year ago, has already given countless birds a safe place to nest, hatch eggs, and raise their young.
The idea, Yadav says, came from a painful memory. While walking along Stadium Road, he and his friends witnessed a massive tree being cut down. “The sight of dozens of birds circling in confusion, as if mourning their lost home, struck me deeply,” he recalls. That moment sparked his determination to act.
Since then, Yadav and his team have been tirelessly going door-to-door, urging residents to hang the nests in their balconies, terraces, and gardens. The response has been remarkable. Families have shared photos and videos of birds finding refuge in the wooden shelters. For Yadav, the most fulfilling moments are when people report that eggs have been laid and chicks raised inside these nests.
Encouraged by the success, he is now planning the next phase of his campaign: reaching out to schools. By distributing nests to students, Yadav hopes to spark an early sense of responsibility and care for the environment. “Children will not only nurture these nests themselves but also inspire their families and peers to take part,” he explains.
The initiative carries a bigger message—that small, thoughtful steps can create meaningful change. By giving the city’s feathered residents a second chance, Ankit Yadav is not just protecting birds—he is nurturing a culture of empathy and environmental stewardship in Bareilly.
