Kerala techies start #BirdBathChallenge to help birds stay cool this summer

Those accepting the #BirdBathChallenge, should keep water for birds in containers around their houses, workplace or public area.

news Animals

At a time when Keralities are taking extra care to protect themselves from the sun and the rising temperatures, a group of techies in Kerala have come together to aid birds from the scorching heat.

Progressive Techies, a group of people working in different IT companies in Kerala, has initiated #BirdBathChallenge to help birds find a source of water. The challenge was inaugurated at Infopark in Kochi on Wednesday. Those accepting the #BirdBathChallenge should keep water for birds in containers around their houses, workplace or public area.

The Progressive Techies decided to start such a campaign as some of them had already implemented the challenge successfully helping birds escape the scorching heat. “Though this kind of a challenge was first of its kind, we have tested the feasibility and effect of the campaign. Some of us had started experimenting this in our homes and it was found to be very successful. Though only a one or two birds showed up in the first few days, now there are frequent and a variety of birds,” Anish Panthalani, member of Progressive Techies, told TNM.

Employees of InfoPark in Kochi and Technopark in Thiruvananthapuram comprise of the majority of members in Progressive Techies group. The challenge involves posting a picture of the person undertaking the task and then inviting five others to do the same.



Members of Proggresive Techies at InfoPark in Kochi after inauguration of #BirdBathChallenge

As a first step, techies in InfoPark will keep water in earthen pots under trees, roof tops of buildings and on top of walls.

They have also made it a point to stay away from using plastic containers and tubs for the campaign. “Apart from helping the birds stay cool in this summer, we have also made sure to use only earthen pots, steel vessels or other environmentally friendly products,” said Anish.

There were reports earlier that pet animals had shown physical ailments due to the increasing temperature in the state. There were also advisories that farmers should protect the animals from dehydration. The social media challenge by the techies will possibly hit a chord and help birds to beat the heat.