The Chittagong Hill Tracts, surrounded by green forests and valleys, is a land of exquisite beauty. The hills were once a safe home for many species of animals and birds, and the folds of the endless hills rang with birdsong. But the green forests that were once a sanctuary for birds are losing their bird life to the menace of hunters.

Against this backdrop, a two-day photo exhibition titled 'Save the Birds of Hill' has been organised in Khagrachhari for the first time to protect the birds of the hills. The exhibition opens on 29 March in the open grounds of the Khagrachhari Hill District Council Horticulture Park and runs until 30 March, from 3pm to 7pm each day.

According to the organisers, the exhibition, the first of its kind in Khagrachhari town, will give visitors a chance to get to know about 40 species of birds photographed in different areas of Khagrachhari and Rangamati. The pictures were taken by two young Khagrachhari photographers, Sabuj Chakma and Samir Mallik.

Photographer Samir Mallik said: "The hills have become barren land. The colours and sounds of birds no longer catch the eye here. Several species of birds are already on the way to extinction. So the main aim of the event is to build public awareness to protect birds."

Photographer Sabuj Chakma said: "We want to take the call 'Let the birds of the forest stay safe in the forest' to everyone. With everyone's effort, may the Chittagong Hill Tracts become a safe shelter for birds."

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