'Bird Fair 2022' will be held at Jahangirnagar University on 7 January to raise public awareness of bird conservation. In recognition of bird lovers, the organisers will present awards in various categories for contributions to bird conservation and research, and have invited documentation, news reports and papers on birds.

This was announced in a notice signed by the fair's convener, Dr Md Kamrul Hasan, a professor in the zoology department.

The notice said three people will receive the 'Big Bird Bangladesh' award after a review of discoveries of new bird species in the country, finds of endangered or rare species and any remarkable observations of birds. Three will receive the 'Conservation Media Award' after a review of news on birds and biodiversity in print, online and electronic media over the past two years.

In addition, one person will receive the 'Scientific Publication Award' after a review of papers on birds published in scientific journals over the past two years, and a prize will be given for stalls at the fair displaying an organisation's work with newspapers, publications and photographs.

The notice said photos, videos or any other evidence supporting observations for the Big Bird award must be sent to the 'Big Bird Bangladesh' Facebook group or to the fair's convener. Published news reports or their links, and published papers, for the Conservation Media Award and the Scientific Publication Award must be sent by email. The deadline for submissions and contact is 31 December.

Professor Md Kamrul Hasan told Jagonews: "Because of the coronavirus, the bird fair was not held last year. This year the fair will be held as usual. Awards are one of its main features. We want to give them to deserving people after proper scrutiny."

The fair will run from 7:30am to 12:30pm in front of the university's Zahir Raihan Auditorium. It will feature an inter-university birdwatching competition, bird drawing for children and teenagers, a bird quiz, and an inter-university bird identification competition using audio and video.

Source: Jagonews24. First published in Bengali on The Agro News.