Riyaz Pasha from Karnataka travels 25-km to quench thirst of birds

To the surprise of residents of Degulwadi village on the Telangana-Karnataka border, a young man travels more than 25 kilometres from his village in neighbouring Karnataka carrying water in two pots on his motorcycle, all to quench the thirst of birds and f

eed them during the harsh summer months.

Riyaz Pasha (30), a resident of Kollur village in Aurad taluk of Bidar district, regularly visits Degulwadi in Nyalkal mandal with water and grains for birds. The son of a farmer, Riyaz?s passion for caring for birds began nearly a decade ago.

Recalling how it all started, Riyaz said he noticed birds struggling to find water during the summer of 2016 near an agricultural borewell owned by his uncle close to his



village.

A water container at the borewell usually remained filled throughout the year due to farming activities, attracting large numbers of birds.

However, during summer, when agricultural operations came to a halt, the container would run dry. Disturbed by the sight of birds searching desperately for water, Riyaz carried water in pots and refilled the container. Soon, the birds began returning to the spot.

Encouraged by the response, he started hanging plastic bottles, coconut shells and other containers on trees in and around his village and regularly filled them with water.

For the past 10 years, Riyaz has been working to help birds survive the scorching summer season.