Farmer, family ensure there’s food, water aplenty for winged visitors.
Kolhapur: Water scarcity meant that brothers Ashok and Balasaheb Sonule could not take up a crop this summer, but that hasn’t stopped them from leaving water and grains in their field for their winged friends.
After their initial efforts got noticed, they won accolades and monetary benefits for their step.
These days, the brothers have begun placing grain and water in the farm to feed the birds, who have become regular visitors.
"Due to the water shortage, I couldn’t harvest anything this season.
Generally, three kg of grain is required to feed the birds so that their happy chirps reach us," Ashok said.
In the barren land in Gadmudshingi village, some 15 km southwest of Kolhapur, Sonule’s farm is like an oasis with its water beds, hanging water pots and water-filled borewell.
"The number of nests is rising, so is the chirping.
These birds are like a family now.
They don’t fly away now when we are around, while we are watering or doing any farm work," he said.