Clicky
Country

Migratory birds face threats from poachers, hunters

Hundreds of birds being killed in Chalan Beel every day


Published : 28 Dec 2021 09:32 PM

In the Chalan Beel region, migratory birds can be seen in large numbers. Although the winter season started a month ago, these birds started migrating from Siberia in late December. The atmosphere in Chalan Beel has become even more spectacular with their arrival. From the dawn, the noise and bazz of the birds in the beel can be heard by tourists and locals. The whole Chalan Beel is now the resting place of the migratory birds of the north.

Meanwhile, in the Chalan Beel area of Sirajganj, amateur and professional bird hunters are killing native and guest birds with guns and various kinds of traps. As a result, on the one hand, the biodiversity is being destroyed, on the other hand, the attack of harmful insects is increasing in the crop lands. Guest birds have also started coming to the char areas of Jamuna and Padma rivers in Pabna. Hunters are also selling these birds in the market.

Chalan Beel is located in most parts of Tarash, Raiganj, Ullapara and Shahjadpur of Sirajganj, Chatmohar of Pabna, Gurudaspur of Bhangura and Natar, Singra upazila. People can see the greenery, innumerable migratory birds including Cotton Pygmy Goose, distant villages over water and many more scenic beauties. In the light of day, the flock of migratory birds across the Chalan Beel will fascinate anyone.

Professor Dr Nazrul Islam, Dean, Faculty of Zoology, Rajshahi University, said that at this time of the year, various species of migratory birds, including falcons, Cotton Pygmy Goose, cormorant and snipes come to the Chalanbil to provide food for themselves. These birds stay until the last week of February.

Professor Akhtaruzzaman, president of the Chalan Beel Biodiversity Conservation Committee, said that members of the biodiversity conservation committee in the Chalan Beel area, an environmental organization, have been conducting various public awareness and awareness programs against bird poaching.

As winter approaches, migratory birds flock to different areas of Chalan Beel including Naogaon, Baruhans, Kundail, Satpukuria, Dahiya, Berabari, Ningin, Jormallika. In addition, at this time the noise of bird hunters increased. The beauty and biodiversity of Chalan Beel is under threat. Due to the unawareness of the people of the area, several species of birds including Dahuk, Tirshul, Nalkak, Bharai, Rangabani, Gangchil, Ratchara, Huttiti, Hargila, Eagle have already become extinct.

According to sources, the Wildlife Conservation Act of 1974 and the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act of 2012 have a maximum penalty of one year imprisonment and a fine of Tk 100,000 or both. In reality, no application of this law is going to be noticed.

Rafiqul Islam, a resident of Handial village in Chatmohar upazila, said, “The water in the Chalan Beel goes down at the beginning of winter. At this time, a lot of native and guest birds come to the bill to collect food in shallow water. On this occasion, a class of fancy and professional bird hunters are constantly killing birds by guns and traps. Birds benefit the farmer by eating insects. The administration has been informed about the matter more than once but no action has been taken to stop the killing of birds.

It can be seen during visiting Chalan Beel that some people from the city of Natore are hunting birds with guns in boats in the area. At that time, when they were asked about their identity, they quickly left the place without saying a word.

Tarash Upazila Livestock Officer Sohail Alam Khan said that bird hunting is a punishable offense. But upazila administration have nothing to do. It is the responsibility of the forest department.

Upazila Forest Officer Kamrul Islam said that even there is a law, authorities cannot implement it in the manpower crisis at the upazila level. However, a campaign will be launched in the area in a day or two to stop the killing of birds.