Patna district magistrate (DM) Sanjay Kumar Agarwal on Thursday appealed to the people to keep a vessel of water in the balcony or terrace for birds, keeping the scorching heat in mind.

The DM also issued order to officials in Patna district to keep a water vessel in their official residence as well as in their respective offices.

"I have appealed to the people to keep a small vessel of water in an earthen pot at their balcony, terrace, gardens and at other open spaces for the birds. Similarly, I have instructed my officials to follow the same and keep water for the birds in their respective offices and official residence," he said.

Environmentalist and expert committee chairman of the State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA), Bihar, Ashok Ghosh praised the move of the district magistrate. "It is a good move. But there is a need of two more things. Apart from water, even grains should be offered. The other thing is to keep plants on the terrace as it attracts birds the most," Ghosh said.