Feeding birds, offering meals: Community drive by Bohras
Times of India | 7 December 2025
Kolkata: The Dawoodi Bohra community in Kolkata has stepped up its environmental and social outreach through a set of focused initiatives under Project Rise. These efforts respond to issues such as environmental decline, malnutrition, and urban vulnerability, and reflect the community's commitment to practical, on-ground solutions. Volunteers have carried out tree plantations across Kolkata and adjoining districts, organised food and clothing distribution for vulnerable groups, and supported regular cleanliness drives that improve public spaces.
One of the city's standout contributions is the installation of more than 5,300 bird feeders and nests at prominent locations including Fort William (Vijay Durg), the Botanical Gardens, Banobithan (Central Park), Eden Gardens, Science City, and Navy House. This effort is part of the nationwide Save Our Sparrows campaign by Burhani Foundation, which aims to address the alarming drop in sparrow populations by improving urban habitats and raising public awareness.
A project volunteer in Kolkata said that the work is driven by a strong sense of purpose. "Challenges like climate change and poverty need collective action. Inspired by the guidance of His Holiness Syedna Mufaddal Saifuddin, we try to support the city in practical ways. Feeding a bird, planting a sapling, offering a meal. Each step builds a culture of care."
The project is the Dawoodi Bohra community's global philanthropic initiative established in 2018. Its work spans healthcare, nutrition, water security, women's empowerment, and environmental responsibility, with the goal of creating resilient and inclusive societies