Derka pond lies in Bandigarh Derka Para of Begunbari union in Thakurgaon Sadar upazila. It covers only 0.83 acres and is best known for derka fish. This winter, however, migratory birds wandering and chirping around it have delighted the villagers. Although there are large ponds nearby, the birds have chosen Derka pond as their refuge. They spend the night in the bamboo clumps on the bank and come down to the pond in search of food at dawn.

The Ramrai Dighi in Ranishankail upazila is known as a sanctuary for guest birds, but this year they have also come to Derka pond. Many people, locals and others from far away, are coming to see them.

Arman Hossain, a young man who came to see the birds, said he had come home from Dhaka a few days earlier and heard about the birds from people. "I'm truly delighted, because there are many ponds around here but the guest birds chose this one. The sound of the birds and the surroundings are lovely," he said.

Sahabur Rahman, a local resident of Bandigarh Derka Para, said such birds had never been seen there before. This year birds of various species have come to the pond, and many people are coming to see them.

Local resident Samser Ali said many birds have come and asked local representatives and the administration to keep a special watch so that nobody catches the birds or disturbs them.

Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Abu Taher Md Samsuzzaman told Jagonews that mobile court drives to protect birds are continuing. Even if a sanctuary cannot be set up, a watch will be kept so that nobody can kill birds at the pond, he said.

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