Birds dying as farmers put trap to save crop

Some farmers in the district have been killing the birds, including rare species, with current nets, which are used to preserve standing crops. The birds are also being killed when they try to cross the area as the nets are not visible from a distance.

On a visit to Jhenaidah Sadar, Shailkupa, and Moheshpur, this correspondent witnessed a number of current nets spread in the area. Local farmers, however, claimed that they only wanted to save their crops from birds.

Some residents of Dudhsar village in Shailkupa upazila said a farmer had been killed a massive number of birds using current nets.  Jhenaidah Environment and Biodiversity Conservation Committee president Masud Ahmed Sanju said the destruction of any form of life is a punishable offence as per the law.

He also said birds enriched soil nutrients and enhanced crop production by killing harmful insects and pests. "It is time to prevent the killers of birds, including farmers, and bring them to the book," he added.

He stressed the importance of organising a movement against the bird-killers. He even questioned the role of the local administration that had been keeping silent on the matter.

District forest conservator Gias Uddin said the killing of any bird was a punishable offense as per government laws. “We have been trying to motivate the farmers not to kill any bird to save crops,” he added.

Birds dying as farmers put trap to save crop

Some farmers in the district have been killing the birds, including rare species, with current nets, which are used to preserve standing crops. The birds are also being killed when they try to cross the area as the nets are not visible from a distance. On a visit to Jhenaidah Sadar, Shailkupa, and Moheshpur, this correspondent witnessed a number of current nets spread in the area. Local farmers, however, claimed that they only wanted to save their crops from birds. Some residents of Dudhsar village in Shailkupa upazila said a farmer had been killed a massive number of birds using current nets. Jhenaidah Environment and Biodiversity Conservation Committee president Masud Ahmed Sanju said the destruction of any form of life is a punishable offence as per the law. He also said birds enriched soil nutrients and enhanced crop production by killing harmful insects and pests. It is time to prevent the killers of birds, including farmers, and bring them to the book, he added. He stressed the importance of organising a movement against the bird-killers. He even questioned the role of the local administration that had been keeping silent on the matter. District forest conservator Gias Uddin said the killing of any bird was a punishable offense as per government laws. We have been trying to motivate the farmers not to kill any bird to save crops, he added.