As the monsoon sets in across parts of India, hot and humid days can still make stepping outdoors uncomfortable. For humans, reaching for a glass of water is easy. But have you ever wondered how birds find drinking water in our increasingly concrete cities?
In urban areas, natural water sources such as ponds, lakes and streams may be difficult for birds to access. During hot months, this can make finding clean water a daily challenge.
For one group in Pollachi, Tamil Nadu, that concern became a reason to act.
The Iyarkkaiyai Nesi (Love Nature) Public Welfare Trust has come up with a simple solution: small, durable water troughs that cost as little as Rs 30 to make.
A simple idea for thirsty birds
Speaking to The Better India, founder Vetrivel explains that the idea began with a concern about the lack of accessible water for birds in cities.
“Birds can manage their food needs by feeding on insects and other natural sources. In rural areas, water is more accessible due to the presence of ponds, lakes and agricultural fields. But in cities, with buildings and limited greenery, water sources are nearly nonexistent,” he says.
In urban areas, natural water sources such as ponds, lakes and streams may be difficult for birds to access. During hot months, this can make finding clean water a daily challenge.
Around five years ago, Vetrivel began placing containers of water for birds during summer.
Initially, he reused discarded oil tins by cutting them open and filling them with food and water. But the tins eventually rusted, making them unsuitable for long-term use.
He also became concerned that regularly providing food could alter birds’ natural feeding behaviour.
That prompted the team to look for a more durable way to provide water.
The result was a simple concrete trough designed specifically for birds.
Made locally
The design is straightforward.
The team uses 10-inch and 8-inch circular PVC pipes as moulds. A mixture of cement and sand is poured into them, with one side sealed to create a shallow basin.
Each trough can hold around 2 to 2.25 litres of water.
The bowls are designed to be shallow enough for birds to drink from safely. They can also use them for bathing, particularly during hot weather.
The initiative is also designed to keep costs low.
Depending on the materials and production, each trough costs between Rs 24 and Rs 30 to make. With around Rs 18,000 worth of materials, including sand, cement and paint, the team can produce between 600 and 700 troughs.
The figure does not include labour.
“If labour costs were included, the price would be around Rs 90 to Rs 100 per unit. Since our team volunteers their time and effort, we’re able to keep costs low and maximise the number of troughs we can make,” says Vetrivel.
More than 6,450 troughs distributed
Over the past three years, the organisation says it has distributed more than 6,450 water troughs free of cost.
The recipients include schools, colleges, commercial establishments, government offices and forest departments across Tamil Nadu.
Depending on the materials and production, each trough costs between Rs 24 and Rs 30 to make. With around Rs 18,000 worth of materials, including sand, cement and paint, the team can produce between 600 and 700 troughs.
But the team’s work does not end with distribution. It also conducts awareness activities around bird conservation and encourages people to maintain the troughs by regularly cleaning and refilling them.
The response has encouraged more people to participate.
Several individuals have begun placing water bowls on terraces and balconies. Schools, in particular, have become active participants, with students helping maintain the troughs and keep them filled.
To prepare for the summer demand, the team makes the troughs in advance, beginning in December. They are then distributed across Tamil Nadu during the warmer months, generally between January and August.
Students become part of the effort
Some of the initiative’s most enthusiastic participants are schoolchildren.
“The team came to our school and taught us why birds are important and how we can help them during summer,” says Harigokul, a Class 6 student at Eripatti Government Middle School.
“I bought three water troughs, took them home and set them up at my grandmother’s house and on my terrace. It feels good to do something for birds,” he says.
The organisation’s approach is simple: make a durable water source affordable, distribute it widely and encourage people to take responsibility for maintaining it.
Another student, Mazhilan, says the school received hundreds of the troughs.
“We placed them across the campus and filled them with water every day. Sometimes, we even leave leftover food nearby. It’s truly amazing to watch different types of birds and their activities. A lot of birds come here regularly,” he says.
For the students, maintaining the troughs has become a small but meaningful part of their daily routine.
A small bowl, a bigger idea
What began as Vetrivel’s attempt to provide water for birds has grown into a larger community effort.
The organisation’s approach is simple: make a durable water source affordable, distribute it widely and encourage people to take responsibility for maintaining it.
For someone looking to help urban birds, the solution does not necessarily require an elaborate setup.
Sometimes, it can begin with a shallow bowl of clean water placed in a safe spot — and the commitment to keep it filled.
As Vetrivel and his team have shown, a small intervention can give more people an opportunity to care for the wildlife sharing their cities.
If you’re thinking of keeping a water bowl out for birds, a little care can make it safer and more useful. Here are what is recommend to keep in mind:
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Keep the water shallow.
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Place it somewhere safe from predators/cats.
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Clean and refill it regularly.
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Avoid adding food unless advised.
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Keep it away from heavily polluted/chemical-treated areas.
