Every winter thousands of migratory birds come to Baikka Beel in Moulvibazar in search of a little warmth, and the protected wetland becomes a favourite with bird lovers and visitors. About 50 species have arrived on the water this year, including Piyong, Giri, Bele, Pati, Pan Sorali, grey and reddish herons, Raj Sorali, Phuluri, Lenja duck, Pallas's fish eagle, Bhubon Chil and Nol Futki. Local birds such as egrets, mynas, purple swamphens and waterhens are there too.

More birds have come to the 250-acre sanctuary this year than in the past several years. But there are allegations that birds of various species are being killed by hunters.

Visitor numbers have risen markedly since Baikka Beel was declared a sanctuary in 2003. Close monitoring over several years to keep the birds' habitat undisturbed has paid off, but hunters remain active around the beel. With severe cold, good roosting places and a growth this year of fish, aquatic plants, creepers and shrubs, the beel is full of food.

Experts say fishing and bird hunting must stop. If the habitat is protected by controlling human traffic and involving local people, more birds will come.

Bird researcher Professor Md Mostafa Feeroz of the Department of Zoology at Jahangirnagar University, met at Baikka Beel, said: "I love biodiversity and birds, so I come here. This year four new kinds of bird have been seen here: Glossy, Lanja, Paideriyar and Printtail. If human movement at Baikka Beel is reduced and the birds are given safety with local people on board, more birds will come and go."

Visitors Ahsan Habib and Mizanur Rahman said they come to Baikka Beel every year to watch and photograph birds. "It is lovely to see this bird sanctuary. Many more birds have come this year than in other years," they said.

Abdus Chhuban, president of the Baragangina Resource Management Organisation at Baikka Beel, said birds would stay all year if the place could be kept safe while protecting its biodiversity and keeping it tourist-friendly. He called for more administrative action.

Local residents and environmental activists said the number of migratory birds would grow if Moulvibazar's haors, baors and beels were made safe habitats that keep the natural balance.

Additional Deputy Commissioner Mallika Dey said: "Lots of lotuses bloom at Baikka Beel. When the birds come it becomes a beautiful tourist spot. We are continuing our efforts so that no harm is done here."

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