Countless migratory birds have taken shelter along the Bishkhali river at Bhatarakanda and Diakul villages in Jhalokathi. Their arrival has added to the beauty of nature, and the riverside areas are alive with their calls. Every winter migratory birds come to Bangladesh from far away, and people crowd to various spots on the riverbank to see them.

Bangladesh has about 650 species of birds, resident and migratory. Of these, 360 species are resident and the remaining 300 are migratory, according to the report. Not all migratory birds come every winter: of the 300 species, 290 come in the winter season and 10 species stay on.

Bird lover and prominent businessman Shamsul Haque Monu said that whenever winter comes, birds of many colours, known and unknown, can be seen at safe places on waterbodies and riverbanks, and in haors, beels and by ponds. Yet these birds are being hunted illegally. "Migratory birds are our friends, our heritage, pride and inspiration. We need to be friendly to help them adjust to an unfamiliar environment. It is our responsibility to protect them," he said.

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

Under the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act 2012, killing a migratory bird carries up to one year in prison, a fine of up to Tk 1 lakh, or both. Anyone who collects, possesses, buys, sells or transports the meat or body parts of a migratory bird faces up to six months in prison and a fine of up to Tk 30,000, or both. Even knowing that killing and selling guest birds is banned, a class of professional hunters carries on through loopholes in the law.

Zebunnesa, assistant professor of zoology at Jhalokathi Government College, said habitat shortages, food shortages caused by poison baits, threats to the birds' lives, hunting and trafficking are causing an alarming fall in the number of birds that come to Bangladesh in winter. "The law must be enforced strictly. But unless we become aware, enforcement will not be very successful. We must also cooperate with the administration," she said.

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