With the winter chill, migratory birds from distant lands have gathered on the Narasunda river. But there is no warm welcome or care for them. Instead, this sanctuary, gripped by encroachment and pollution, is now under threat. Even so, the number of migratory birds at the Narasunda open-air stage has risen compared with other years.

In late December and early January, thousands of lesser whistling ducks and other migratory species began gathering on the Narasunda, filling the surrounding area with birdsong. Since this branch of the Brahmaputra was developed into an attractive Lake City, it had come to life in winter. Part of the Lake City is the open-air stage in front of Gurudayal Government College, where the birds gather most, and people crowd there morning and afternoon to see them.

But encroachment and pollution are robbing the Narasunda sanctuary of its beauty. Among the mass of water hyacinth, the birds are hard to spot, and nature lovers are growing frustrated. Md Mofazzal Hossain, assistant professor of zoology at Gurudayal Government College, offered hope, however. In his view, migratory birds at the Lake City open-air stage have increased compared with other years, because the water hyacinth makes it easier for them to find food, and the birds are also choosing it to lay eggs.

Tasnia Tarannum Arjita, who came with friends, said migratory birds come every winter and greatly enhance the beauty of the open-air stage. "But because of encroachment and pollution of the river, we cannot enjoy the birds as we did in the past. We demand that the administration quickly free the river of encroachment and pollution," she said.

Rupa Jahangir Alam, visiting the open-air stage with friends, said many migratory birds come there in winter. "We came to see the birds, but because of the water hyacinth we cannot see them properly. Many birds are sitting there, and they can be seen when they fly. Our demand is that part of the open-air stage be cleared so that we can watch the birds dive, swim and play in the water."

Environmentalist and professor Md Rehas Uddin said urgent steps are needed to protect this sanctuary. "Last year, on my own initiative, I cleared part of the north side of the open-air stage, where the birds could dive, swim and play in the water. This time there is no such arrangement. I urge the administration to free the Narasunda of encroachment and pollution and make it a safe haven for the birds," he said.

Md Mofazzal Hossain said he has been observing migratory birds for several years, and their number has risen this year compared with other years. Because of the water hyacinth, many people cannot fish with hooks and nets, so the birds, free of that disturbance, can feed from the hyacinth and lay eggs there.

He added that clearing part of the open-air stage would help the birds dive, swim and play, and nature lovers could enjoy it too. The birds not only add to the beauty of the Narasunda open-air stage but also play an important role in maintaining environmental balance.

Md Sajjad Hossain, executive engineer of the Water Development Board in Kishoreganj, said planning and survey work on the Narasunda is under way, and a project proposal will be submitted very soon on the basis of the survey. If the project is implemented, water flow will return to the Narasunda river.

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