Rakesh Khatri: The 'Nest Man of India' on Saving Sparrows and Inspiring Change (Founder Eco Roots)

Rakesh Khatri Interview

A nest is not just for a bird, it’s a reminder that if we make space for the smallest lives, we make the world better for all

Q. From watching birds on Delhi rooftops as a child to becoming the 'Nest Man of India,' how did this extraordinary journey begin?

It began with a simple joy. As a child in Old Delhi, I would watch sparrows on our rooftops. They were everywhere, nesting, chirping, sharing space with us. Over the years, their numbers started to decline, and the silence became noticeable. That memory stayed with me. Much later, while working in media, I felt disconnected from purpose. I decided to act on that childhood connection and started making nests.

Q. Your first handmade nest in 2007 didn’t attract a single bird, yet today, over 7.3 lakh nests have been adopted. What kept you going through that initial failure?

That first nest was an important lesson. I realised that good intentions aren’t enough. You need knowledge and patience. I studied materials, placement, bird behaviour. I believed that if birds had once lived among us freely, they would again, if given a chance. That belief kept me going.

Q. You've used everything from theatre and storytelling to nest kits and plugging to raise awareness. How important is creativity in making conservation mainstream?

Creativity is essential. Conservation must connect with people emotionally. Facts and data alone don’t create change, but a story, an experience, a hands-on activity, they stay with you. When people make a nest with their own hands or watch a play about urban birds, they understand the issue deeply. That’s where awareness turns into action.

Q. What was the turning point when people stopped questioning your work as “unnatural” and began to embrace it as a movement?

The change happened gradually. At first, people questioned whether birds would accept these nests. But when they started seeing results—eggs, chicks, birds returning—skepticism turned into interest. When parents, teachers, and even builders began calling to ask how they could help, I knew the work had become something larger than me.

Q. You’ve empowered over 2,000 rural women through the Jal Sparsh project and other sustainable initiatives. How do you balance environmental action with social impact?

They are part of the same system. When women clean invasive plants like water hyacinth and turn them into nests, they earn income, restore ecosystems, and help birds. Conservation that uplifts communities is more sustainable. It becomes a shared goal. Projects like Jal Sparsh were designed to support both nature and people together.

Q. If you could install a symbolic nest anywhere in the world, just to send a message, where would you place it and what would it represent?

I would place a handmade nest outside the United Nations headquarters. It would represent coexistence. A simple jute nest reminds us that sustainability is not just about policies. It’s about making space for the smallest life forms. If we can do that, we’ve understood what conservation really means.

Q. You’ve been honored globally, from the Limca Book to the House of Commons, but is there one quiet, personal moment of recognition that meant the most to you?

Yes. A schoolgirl once wrote to me after a workshop. She said a sparrow had laid eggs in the nest she made, and she watched them hatch. She called it the first time she witnessed new life. That letter meant more to me than any award. It showed that one small act can change someone’s relationship with nature.

Q. If you could have a conversation with any bird species, which one would it be and what would you want to ask it?

I would speak to the house sparrow. I would ask, “Are the homes we build for you enough? Have we earned back your trust?” If the sparrow returned and nested freely among us again, that would be the answer.

Bio:

Rakesh Khatri, widely known as the “Nest Man of India,” is the Founder of Eco Roots Foundation and a leading figure in sparrow conservation. Transitioning from a career in documentary filmmaking, he has built and installed over 7.3 lakh eco-friendly nests across India, conducted 7,000+ workshops, and engaged more than 14 lakh people in environmental action. His work has earned him numerous national and international awards, cementing his legacy as a champion for biodiversity.

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Interviewed by: Divya Darshni