The people of Milemari Dhala village of Meherpur Gangni upazila have developed friendship with birds for about 4 years. From October, the migratory birds come to Padmabeel from Siberia. At the end of the breeding season, towards the end of March, they start return to their home. During this time the villagers keep the birds with love. So no one dares to hunt birds.
Thousands of birds were spotted at Padmabil in Milemari Dhala village on Saturday. Sometimes it flies, sometimes it swims. When they fly over the beel, birds keep chirping. This is a different scene. When thousands of birds fly in the sky with their wings outstretched, the common people who come here look on in amazement. The sight of birds flying in the sky without fear shows that the birds have built their own world here. Where there are no obstacles. They are flying in the sky like home. At dawn the birds go out in search of food.
Environmentalist Enamul Azim said most of the birds that come here are from Siberia. Most of them are Fulvous Whistling Duck and Samkul. Some other species of birds are also seen here. These are called kherihansa and Cormorant. In October, when the snow in Siberia began to melt, Fulvous Whistling Duck and Samkul spread to different countries. They have come here and built a house. They start breeding in December-January. When the snow settles in Siberia in April, the birds return to their nests. Some birds of breeding left here. The following year when they come again those birds become their companions again.
He added that the main food of these birds is aquatic plants, snails, oysters and insects. They eat harmful insects from different lands. As a result, the crop production goes high. Phosphate fertilizer is made from these birds stool. This is extremely beneficial for the cultivation.
Chand Ali of the village, who look after those birds, said, “I earn my livelihood by fishing in this beel. I spent much of the time here. I have kept the birds for the last few years. Before, many people used to hunt birds with guns. We the people of the village got together and tied them up. Now no one dares to hunt birds. As a result, birds continue to grow here every year. Even if we go hunting, the birds float in their own way. A bond of birds has been formed with the people of the village. It seems that they have known each other for a long time.
Touhidul Islam, a farmer from Hinda village, said, “I have land next to the beel where I produce different agricultural products. Birds eat insects all the time which is beneficial for me. However, from time to time, if there are stalks on the rice plant, they also eat them. At that time we fell into a little trouble. Even then we are not bothered by the birds.”
Anisur Rahman, a young man who came to visit here, said, “I come here with my family to relieve fatigue in my spare time. When at the evening birds started flying, a different feeling works. Here the mind really gets better.”
Acting Forest Officer Zafar Ullah said, “We are issuing warning messages in every coordination meeting of the district so that the birds can be kept safe and no one can catch the birds.”