In Nagpur, 74-year-old Ashok Tevani spends his mornings making sparrow nests. He uses old wedding cards, chocolate boxes, and cardboard. Each tiny, colorful nest takes him about five hours to complete.
Tevani, known as Tevani Kaka, sees each nest as a way to help sparrows return to India's cities. Over the last decade, he has made more than 2,725 nests by hand.
A New Purpose After Retirement
Tevani worked at the Bank of India for 38 years before retiring. He found himself with more free time. He had always enjoyed making things since he was a child.
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Start Your News DetoxAfter retirement, this old hobby came back. In March 2014, he read an article about fewer sparrows in cities. The article suggested that birdhouses could give sparrows safe places to nest.
"I thought it might be a small step, but at least I can do something," Tevani said. This idea inspired him to start.
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Turning Waste into Bird Homes
Tevani decided to use old wedding invitation cards and packaging boxes. He realized these materials were strong enough for bird nests. Soon, bright, colorful homes began to take shape.
He even put a collection box outside his house. Neighbors drop off their unused wedding cards for him. Each nest is designed to make sparrows feel safe.
"Birds inspect the nest first," he explained. "Only when they feel secure do they come back and bring their chicks."
Over 2,700 Nests and Counting
What started as a personal project has become a decade-long effort. Tevani now builds about 25 to 26 nests each month. He sells each nest for just Rs 40, which barely covers his material costs.
"I’m not doing this for money; it has now become my passion," he added. He used to give them away for free. But people often used them as decorations indoors. Now, he makes sure buyers know the nests must be placed outside for birds to use.
Inspiring Children to Care for Nature
Tevani also teaches children. He holds workshops in schools, showing them how to make bird nests from simple materials.
After one workshop, a teacher called him. The children had made beautiful nests at home. This year, he is working with a local NGO, Gramayan. They plan to reach 20 schools in Nagpur. They will share nests and teach students about sparrow conservation.
"If two out of 100 children get inspired to make their own nest, that would be wonderful," he said.
A Small Step for a Big Difference
On World Sparrow Day, Tevani suggests cities can do more for birds. He thinks new buildings could include bird spaces or small nests on balconies. This would give sparrows safe places to live.
"If even half the homes install nests, birds will come back," he believes. Tevani continues to make his colorful nests, hoping each one helps a sparrow find a home in the city.
