Protecting migratory birds

Birds are one part of nature that makes life worth living and cheerful

Hundreds of ‘shamuk khol’, ‘pan kouri’, ‘ratchora’ and ‘bali hash’ are some of the garden residents. They used to come between March and July, seeking shelter for breeding, but have now made the gardens their permanent residence.

Birds are one part of nature that makes life worth living and cheerful. They also contribute to maintaining environmental and ecological balance. With the onset of the winter season scores of birds come to Bangladesh from the Siberian region every year to escape the severe weather prevailing there. The number of migratory birds arriving in the country depends on various factors including habitat quality and preference, human disturbances along their migratory route, pollution, hunting and other biotic factors etc. These winged guests take shelter in different places of our country, particularly in the places dominated by rivers, lakes and swamps. But what is worrying to note that they are sometimes exposed to hostile circumstances created by a section of unscrupulous people. These people even go to the extent of poaching and killing the guest birds for their personal gains.

Bangladesh is one of the signatory countries of 'Conservation on Migratory Birds Species' and 'Ramsar Sites'. The Ministry of Environment and Forest (MOEF) has formulated Wildlife Protection and Security Act - 2012 and developed Ecological Critical Areas (ECA) to conserve migratory birds. Respective authority should initiate several steps for enhancing and promoting the migratory bird tourism activities in Bangladesh. They should promote migratory bird conservation awareness through bird ringing programme, migratory bird fair, education campaigning, community level awareness, campaigning and bird monitoring programme.  Also they will have to incorporate migratory bird protection strategies in developing plans and policies. Thirdly, they must arrange the capacity building programmes for the site managers and local communities.

Poor maintenance and mismanagement of lakes by the relevant authorities have been blamed for affecting the food chain of the migratory birds. This kind of lackadaisical attitude is really unfortunate. Setbacks confronting the happy stay of the migratory birds should be addressed properly. Caution should be maintained so that the winged guests do not feel the slightest disturbance created by rush of visitors. Besides, cruelty against the guest birds in other places of the country should be stopped immediately. Killing of guest birds is a punishable offence according to the law but the law is not being executed properly. The unscrupulous people involved in killing guest birds should be brought to justice.  Members of the law enforcing agencies, environmentalists and conscious people should be vigilant about it.   

Protecting migratory birds

Birds are one part of nature that makes life worth living and cheerful

Hundreds of shamuk khol, pan kouri, ratchora and bali hash are some of the garden residents. They used to come between March and July, seeking shelter for breeding, but have now made the gardens their permanent residence. Birds are one part of nature that makes life worth living and cheerful. They also contribute to maintaining environmental and ecological balance. With the onset of the winter season scores of birds come to Bangladesh from the Siberian region every year to escape the severe weather prevailing there. The number of migratory birds arriving in the country depends on various factors including habitat quality and preference, human disturbances along their migratory route, pollution, hunting and other biotic factors etc. These winged guests take shelter in different places of our country, particularly in the places dominated by rivers, lakes and swamps. But what is worrying to note that they are sometimes exposed to hostile circumstances created by a section of unscrupulous people. These people even go to the extent of poaching and killing the guest birds for their personal gains. Bangladesh is one of the signatory countries of Conservation on Migratory Birds Species and Ramsar Sites. The Ministry of Environment and Forest (MOEF) has formulated Wildlife Protection and Security Act - 2012 and developed Ecological Critical Areas (ECA) to conserve migratory birds. Respective authority should initiate several steps for enhancing and promoting the migratory bird tourism activities in Bangladesh. They should promote migratory bird conservation awareness through bird ringing programme, migratory bird fair, education campaigning, community level awareness, campaigning and bird monitoring programme. Also they will have to incorporate migratory bird protection strategies in developing plans and policies. Thirdly, they must arrange the capacity building programmes for the site managers and local communities. Poor maintenance and mismanagement of lakes by the relevant authorities have been blamed for affecting the food chain of the migratory birds. This kind of lackadaisical attitude is really unfortunate. Setbacks confronting the happy stay of the migratory birds should be addressed properly. Caution should be maintained so that the winged guests do not feel the slightest disturbance created by rush of visitors. Besides, cruelty against the guest birds in other places of the country should be stopped immediately. Killing of guest birds is a punishable offence according to the law but the law is not being executed properly. The unscrupulous people involved in killing guest birds should be brought to justice. Members of the law enforcing agencies, environmentalists and conscious people should be vigilant about it.