As in every year, Jahangirnagar University (JU) held a day-long bird fair to raise public awareness of bird conservation.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Mohammad Kamrul Ahsan opened the fair by releasing balloons in front of the university's Zahir Raihan Auditorium at 10am on Friday (3 January).

Speaking as chief guest, the vice-chancellor said the bird fair is one of the best events at Jahangirnagar University, and that people of all religions and backgrounds come together at the university's bird fair and butterfly fair.

He said that visible infrastructure has been built in places such as Sajek to entertain people, driving out small ethnic communities and various other species. At Jahangirnagar University too, the building of visible infrastructure has damaged bird habitats. He urged everyone to be aware of keeping the habitats of migratory birds on campus safe.

Professor Monirul H Khan of the Department of Zoology, convener of the fair, said in his welcome speech that the bird fair has been held at the university since 2001 to make people across the country aware of bird conservation.

The Big Bird Bangladesh, Scientific Publication Award, Conservation Media Award and Special Recognition Award 2025 were presented at the fair. The day's programme included a bird-themed drawing competition for children, a quiz, a book and poster exhibition, a display of preserved bird specimens, bird-watching, a bird identification contest and discussions on birds.

Special guests at the 10am opening were Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Professor Dr Sohel Ahmed; acting dean of the Faculty of Biological Sciences Professor Mohammad Mafruhi Sattar; Proctor Professor Dr AKM Rashidul Alam; Amir Hossain Chowdhury, chief conservator of forests of the Bangladesh Forest Department; and Mukit Majumder Babu, chairman of Prakriti O Jibon Foundation.

Representatives of IUCN Bangladesh, Arannayk Foundation and the Bird Club were among those present. Professor Dr Mansurul Haque, chairman of the Department of Zoology, gave the closing speech.

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