“Nature is giving everything to human beings, but we are not giving much back to nature,” says Mr Ganeshan D, founder of Koodugal Nest (Network for Environment Sustainability Trust). The Chennai-based NGO is playing a key role in boosting the sparrow population in the city through its unique efforts in nest conservation.
From an agricultural background in a small village near Bengaluru, Ganeshan D has always held a deep love for nature, which evolved into a passionate commitment to environmental conservation.
Ganeshan’s journey is rooted in a solid foundation of education, professional experience, and a deep commitment to giving back to nature. He has carved out a unique path, dedicating himself to making a meaningful impact through conservation efforts, with a particular focus on sparrow preservation, water management, and waste reduction.
His interest in nature began in his early years. “From childhood, I have always been fascinated by nature and deeply passionate about conserving sparrows,” Ganeshan tells The Better India. As a student, his curiosity was nurtured by a supportive professor who recognised his zeal for the environment and encouraged him to pursue it further.
From engineer to environment warrior
Ganeshan pursued mechanical engineering, earning a bachelor’s and master’s degree. Following his studies, he worked as a professor at SRM University, where he continued to foster his interests in the environment while also teaching. However, his professional life didn’t fully satisfy his passion.
After his time as a professor, he transitioned to the IT sector, currently working as a domain specialist in data technology at Coda Technology Solutions. Despite his technical career, his true calling lay in his environmental efforts, and thus the Koodugal Nest was born.
The seeds for Koodugal Nest were planted during Ganeshan’s student years. He says, “I began working on projects like sparrow conservation, water management, and waste management as early as 2014, during my MTech studies.” He started his first tree-planting initiative on school campuses, setting a personal goal to plant at least 500 trees every year. These early efforts were fueled by his belief that individuals should give back to nature in whatever way possible.
On 29 July 2020, Ganeshan and his wife, Shanthini, a professor at JNN Institute of Engineering and a PhD candidate in mathematics, officially registered Koodugal Nest, marking the beginning of their shared journey to make a difference.
“After marriage, my wife Shanthini became the backbone of Koodugal Nest, taking on the role of project manager and guiding the mission with unwavering support,” admits Ganeshan. What began as a personal project had now evolved into a fully-fledged organisation.
‘Sparrow populations have increased by 15%’
Koodugal Nest’s core mission is to significantly increase the sparrow population, ensuring their presence thrives across communities. The organisation works by educating students and communities about the importance of sparrows and involving them in hands-on activities such as constructing sparrow nest boxes. These nest boxes provide much-needed shelter for sparrows, who face severe habitat loss due to urbanisation.
“As insectivores, sparrows play a crucial role in controlling pests like mosquitoes, flies, and crop-damaging insects, which helps reduce diseases such as malaria and dengue, supporting human health. By keeping grasshopper populations in check, they also protect crops, promoting agricultural productivity,” Ganeshan explains.
“Conserving sparrows is also essential for maintaining biodiversity, as they play a key role in seed dispersal. By feeding on seeds from various plants, sparrows help spread plant species across ecosystems, supporting the regeneration of plant life. This process not only promotes healthy and diverse habitats but also ensures the long-term stability of ecosystems, making sparrow conservation crucial for environmental balance,” he adds.
The NGO’s impact has been far-reaching. Over the past few years, Koodugal has distributed more than 10,000 nest boxes across 40-45 schools and gated communities in Chennai. According to Ganeshan, “About 60-70% of the nest boxes are now occupied by sparrows, with multiple generations now nesting in the boxes. In North Chennai, sparrow populations have increased by 15% in the last four years.”
Overcoming challenges
Like any ambitious venture, Koodugal Nest faced its share of challenges. “When we first approached communities in North Chennai, people were hesitant. We were strangers, and many didn’t understand why sparrow conservation mattered,” Ganeshan recalls. The team faced initial roadblocks in convincing local residents, schools, and organisations to participate.
“After we reached out to ten schools and gained media attention, schools began welcoming our projects, and soon both, educational institutions and local communities started actively engaging with us to promote sparrow conservation,” says Ganeshan.
The next challenge was the cost of constructing the nest boxes. Initially, Koodugal worked with a carpenter who charged around Rs 200-250 per nest box. But the team wanted to make the project more sustainable. To overcome this, they started producing their own kits.
“We cut the materials ourselves, and instead of giving out finished products, we trained students to assemble their own nest boxes,” Ganeshan explains. This hands-on approach helped lower the cost to Rs 100-150 per box, while also empowering students and residents.
Feedback from students was crucial in improving the design of the nest boxes. Ganeshan’s team adjusted the dimensions and structure based on real-world use, gradually refining the design to maximise its appeal to sparrows.
“Koodugal Nest work would not have been possible without the support of its corporate partners. Chennai Willingdon Corporate Foundation (CWCF), Surveysparrow Pvt Ltd, and Lennox India Technology have been instrumental in funding the distribution of nest boxes and ensuring the continued growth of the initiative,” Ganeshan acknowledges.
Bringing communities together
Although corporate partnerships have been a significant source of funding, Ganeshan stresses that the project’s true success lies in the community’s involvement. “The real impact comes from students, families, and communities coming together to make this project a success,” he says.
“Previous generations understood the importance of sparrows, but today’s generation is less aware of how vital they are for human survival. Unfortunately, the general public often lacks the time or interest to learn about their significance. This is why we decided to focus on schools, to raise awareness and explain the mission of Koodugal Nest,” the founder adds.
One significant discovery the NGO made was that the reduction in sand in urban areas was a major factor in the sparrow population decline. In 2020, at Revoor Padmanabha Chetty Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Tiruvottiyur, the abundance of sand made it the perfect environment for sparrows.
After installing 100 nest boxes on the school campus, the results were immediate. “Within six months, most of the boxes were occupied, and today, 100% of the nest boxes are in use,” Ganeshan proudly shares.
“We dedicate our time to conserving sparrows because as their population grows, they will help control mosquitoes, cockroaches, and other small insects that often go unnoticed. Sparrows thrive close to human settlements, as they can only survive in temperatures that are ideal for us, not in extremes,” he adds.
Empowering the next generation
Koodugal Trust has made a significant impact on students. Sharing her experience, Prayukta, a 14-year-old student from RPC Matriculation School, says, “My father was a part of the Koodugal Nest project, and he brought home a nest in 2022. We all helped in installing it, and it was amazing to watch sparrows take care of their young ones. I have developed a habit of feeding them and observing their activities. I would love to continue this sparrow conservation in the future.”
“By engaging students in hands-on projects, Koodugal is not only educating them about sparrow conservation but also improves their motor skills, concentration, and empathy. These activities have significantly reduced screen time and have helped children develop a keen interest in the natural world,” notes Ganeshan.
As for future plans, Ganeshan is determined to make sparrows a common sight across Chennai and expand the reach of the project to more schools and gated communities. “Our goal is to reach 1,00,000 families and distribute more nest boxes in 10 years,” he says.
The NGO is also focusing on developing sparrow sanctuaries in more schools, where sparrows can nest and flourish in safe, protected environments. They have successfully established eight sparrow sanctuaries so far, providing a home for 100 to 200 sparrows on each campus.
“Our first partner, Dhanalakshmi Higher Secondary School, accepted fifteen boxes. Today, we’ve distributed over 10,000. Initially, we aimed to install 1,000 boxes, and we achieved that. Wherever we’ve distributed nest boxes, we’ve seen students get more engaged. I’m fortunate to have supportive parents who help me balance my work and the Koodugal project,” Shanthini says.
T Mohanalakshmi, a dedicated Botany teacher at KC Sankaralinga Nadar Higher Secondary School, and her husband, Ganesh, are also deeply involved in the Koodugal Nest project.
“In our home, we have a large neem tree. When I first learned about Koodugal Nest, I got two sparrow nest boxes and installed them. Soon after, I was thrilled to see sparrows visiting the tree. Now, I have ten sparrow nests, and I wake up every morning to the sound of birds chirping at 4-5 am,” says Ganesh.
Koodugal Nest’s efforts have not gone unnoticed. In 2023, the NGO received the prestigious Tamil Nadu Leadership Award from the World CSR Congress. This recognition came as a result of their dedication to environmental conservation and the significant impact they have made in the communities they serve.
Additionally, in 2024, the trust was honoured with the Inspiro Award by Agilisium Consulting for its outstanding contribution to conservation and education.
As Koodugal Nest continues to grow and reach more people, its mission expands beyond just sparrow conservation. It’s about fostering a sense of environmental responsibility, understanding the delicate balance of nature, and inspiring others to take their own steps toward a sustainable future.
Edited by Arunava Banerjee; Images: Ganeshan D
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