Volunteers come forward to the rescue of birds in heat-stricken Hubli

A youth organisation in Karnataka's Hubli has taken the initiative to make a harsh summer easier for birds by fixing cups filled with water and food on trees for the parched creatures.

Members of the Yuva Utsahi Seva Sangh, a group providing social service, are dedicated to working for a cleaner and better environment, their operations based on a new theme every week.

For the next week, the group has decided on the theme 'Save Birds, Save Trees'. As part of the initiative, members have fixed small cups on about 40 trees filled with food and water for birds in Hubli.

"This week, our concept is: Save Birds, Save Trees. So many birds are dying because of lots of water problem. So we are planning to save the birds. So this Sunday, this HDMC (Hubli Dharwad Municipal Corporation), so many trees are here, so we are planning food and water. We are giving these for birds," said Iren, a member.

In the last few weeks, capital Bengaluru city has seen birds falling out of the sky, which died because of dehydration. Reports say that the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, the city's municipal corporation, has received over 100 such complaints.

Hubli is one of the worst affected regions. Scores of dead fish were found washed ashore on the banks of Hadsur lake about two weeks ago. Mango crops have also been badly damaged, pushing prices up by up to 200 per cent.