We always try to emulate other countries for their cleanliness. We discuss how there is a heavy fine in some countries for littering. The government initiates campaigns to keep the streets clean. We have nation reverberating slogans and dedicated days for the cause. But maybe, we are doing it wrong. There is an easier and less stressful way.
A theme park in France has devised a unique way to keep their campus clean. Birds have been trained to collect litter. The crows at the Puy du Fou theme park in France have been taught to collect cigarette ends and other small bits of rubbish. They then deposit the litter into a small box which will deliver some bird food as a reward for their hard work.
Image Credit: timesofmalta
The park is doing it not only to keep the area clean, but also to prove the point that nature can take care of itself. Actually, crows are considered intelligent birds. No wonder there is a story of a pitcher of water, which a crow fills with pebbles to reach the water. Our government should peruse through some Panchatantra story too to find a solution for social and environmental issues.
This is not the first time that birds have displayed their intelligence. Earlier this year, scientists at the University of Cambridge created a vending machine that showed the crow’s ability to solve problems. The machine required a particular size of paper token to release a treat. Scientists found that the crows could remember the right size of paper, and they even trimmed bigger pieces until they could fit into the machine.
This would work very well in India. We should put the large number of pigeons to work. Instead of cooing all day, they could land a beak to nation building. Also, because they work for simple incentives like food, they would not be tempted to bribery. They would also not need holidays. Peer pressure also is very effective among birds. If one pigeon sees the other picking rubbish, they would soon follow suit.
Just a dignified place to roost, and they would happily pick the streets clean.
