As every winter, the estuary of the Bishkhali river in Jhalakathi has again become a safe refuge for thousands of migratory birds. Their numbers have risen along the riverbanks of Gabkhan Dhansiri and Ponabalia unions in Sadar upazila. Their chirping fills the air, and their flocks flying in "heart" and "rocket" shapes are delighting local people and tourists.

The Sugandha, Bishkhali, Gabkhan, Basanda and Dhansiri rivers flow through Sadar upazila. West of the rivers' confluence lies Gabkhan Dhansiri union, with Ponabalia union to the south-east and Jhalakathi municipality to the north-east. Every winter birds come from far away to these riverbanks, and nature lovers crowd various spots along the banks to watch them. The birdsong adds greatly to the beauty of the scene.

Litu Gomosta, Robin and Afsar of the Sachilapur area said migratory birds come here every winter. Hogla reed beds cover wide stretches of the river's char, and that is where the birds shelter. They usually fly in flocks in the morning and late afternoon and spend the rest of the time feeding and resting. When the noise of boats or anyone disturbs them, they take off again. Their flocks form artistic shapes, sometimes flying like a heart, a locket, a rocket or an aeroplane.

They said hunters used to come with guns to shoot the birds. Telling them to stop sometimes led to arguments, and under pressure the hunters went back without shooting. After a few years of such vigilance, no one comes to hunt birds any more.

Bird lover and businessman Shamsul Haque Monu said that in winter, many colourful birds, both known and unknown, can be seen at wetlands, safe spots on riverbanks, haors, beels and pond banks. "Yet these birds are being hunted illegally. Migratory birds are our friends, our heritage, our pride and inspiration. We must behave in a friendly way to help them adjust to an unfamiliar environment. Protecting birds is our duty."

He added that the birds' ranges are steadily shrinking. With forests being cleared, they are losing safe shelter, and guest birds are dying after eating insects poisoned by chemical fertilisers and excessive pesticides on cropland.

Mosammat Zebunnesa, associate professor of zoology at Barishal Government Syed Hatem Ali College, said the number of birds coming to the country in winter is falling at an alarming rate because of habitat loss, food shortages caused by poison baits, threats to their lives, hunting and trafficking. "The law must be enforced strictly. But unless we are aware, law enforcement will not achieve much. We too must cooperate with the administration."

Jhalakathi Sadar upazila nirbahi officer Segufta Mehnaz said: "Guest birds are our asset, and protecting them is our duty. They maintain the balance of our environment. If anyone disturbs the birds' sanctuary, or if any hunter tries to hunt birds there, strict action will be taken if we are informed."

Reported by Md Atikur Rahman.

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