Jamshedpur, June 29: Schoolchildren put their observing powers to test by creating nests at a competition organised at Tata Steel Zoological Park today.

In an attempt to create awareness among them about extinction of birds, the participants were asked to make bird nests using waste but eco-friendly material.

At the end of the event, the participants placed their nests on trees at the zoological park and took a pledge to protect rare species of birds.

The event was organised by Lion’s Club. Around 50 students studying in Classes IV to VIII at Carmel Junior, JH Tarapore, DBMS English, Narbheram Hansraj English, Motilal Nehru Public and School of Hope participated.

Chartered president of the club Sunita Singh said they have been organising several activities focused on the environment and this was one of them.

“Several species of bird are becoming extinct due to rapid deforestation. Through this competition, children will make nests that will be placed on trees so that birds can come and breed there,” she added.

Zoo director M.S. Jain, who was the chief guest-cum-judge, appreciated the effort of the social organisation. “It’s a brilliant concept. As the event is related to nature, I quite liked the idea of using eco-friendly material,” he said.

Participants used grass, hay, straws, wood, dry leaves, twigs, egg shells, coconut shells, coir and bird feathers to make the nests. Letting their creativity run wild, they made nests of crows, parrots, hawks and weaver birds.

“I will see how observant the children are (before declaring the winners). I will see if they have just made decorative nests or whether they have made nests resembling original ones,” Jain added.

The competition was divided into two categories — junior and senior groups.

Shubham of Narbheram Hansraj, Shalu Agarwal of DBMS and Nirali of Motilal Nehru were declared winners in the senior category.

Aman Ranjan of DBMS, Navinetra of JH Tarapore and Aman Bhardwaj of Motilal Nehru won the top slots in the junior category.

Special prizes were given to participants from School of Hope — an institution run for special children.

This kind of competition was different from the ones children usually attend, and that proved to be a magnet.

Sheel Aditya of Carmel Junior College said: “Making a nest is indeed interesting. I spent hours climbing trees to observe nests. It is a very exciting task.”