Pran o Prokriti Sangathan, an organisation working on life and nature at Mahadevpur upazila in Naogaon, has started to work to save the migratory birds start to arrive at Madhubon area of Atrai river this year.
The area of the river is now filled with the chirping and twittering of varieties of migratory birds. But, the loud, ear-piercing sound of the dredger machine excavating sand from the bed of Atrai river nearby was causing severe disturbance for staying and roaming of those birds.
It is learnt, on the face of demand from the local people, the government declared the Modhuban area of Atrai river as a Fish Sancturay and as a Birds' Colony and stopped leasing the sand excavation from around the area of the river. But, by defying the ban, an influential quarter was excavating sand through dredger machine from the area round the clock.
According to sources, for last 10-year, migratory birds from the chilly, winter region of Sibria and other countries are visiting some three-kilometre areas of Madhuban and Kunjobon of the river Atrai under Mohadevpur upazila of Naogaon district. Those birds include Sarali, Pankouri, Dubri, Balihas and Chokha-chokhi.
Members of ‘Pran O Prokriti Sangasthan’ were working to ensure safety and a safe roaming of those migratory birds. Leaders of the organisation have demanded to the local administration to stop leasing the sand-dunes on the river Atrai to ensure free movement throughout the Birds' sanctuary. As per demand of the leaders of the organisation and local people, the administration did not lease out the sand-dune for excavation this year but in defiance of the decision of the local administration, an influential quarter had been excavating sand illegally from the river bed using dredger machines. However, the local administration operated a mobile court recently at the site and ordered to stop excavation of sand from the river bed.
Kazi Nazmul Haque, President of Pran O Prokiti Sangathon, said that although the government has not leased the sand beds of the river Atrai in Madhuban area, an influential person named Moazzem Hazi has been continuing sand excavation from the area.
Local youngman Mijanur Rahman informed, the illegal sand-pirates were driving the birds away by throwing stones at those from the Birds' Colony near local Upazila administration and police station areas and were excavating sand illegally from there. Local administration was playing a silent role in this connection.
Another local fisherman Shams Uddin Mondal informed, Birds Colony has been made with bamboos at the sanctuary areas which is also the Fish Sanctuary area on the river Atrai. Thousands of migratory birds flock at the spot every year.
Member of the organisation Monsur Sarker informed, every year sand is being excavated illegally from the area of the river Atrai. As a result, surrounding land is devoured in the river every year and thus leaving no space for movement and roaming of the migratory birds over the area. The organisation members demanded an immediate stoppage of excavation of sand from the region of the river to save and to ensure safety of those birds.
Moazzem Hazi, however, declined the allegations brought against him and said, he has been excavating from from the region for a long time but recently the area has been declared as Birds Colony intentionally to oust him from the area.
Asma Khatun, Assistant Commissioner of Land of Mohadevpur informed, a mobile court was conducted in the area for excavating sand illegally from the area and the concerned person has been directed not to excavate sand from the area ( from outside the leasing area).
Mijanur Rahman, Upazila Nirbahi Officer of Mohadevpur informed, there is no scope to excavate sand from out of the leasing area. If any one excavate sand from the area, action will be takenin this connection.