Guest bird hunting on

Abdul Hamid of Arnakhali village under the Sadar upazila is seen with guest birds for sale at Banshdah Bazaar on Saturday. PHOTO: STAR

The birds are sold in large numbers at markets in Banshdah, Satani, Kathanda, Jhhowdanga, Baliadanga, Kazirht, Sarashkati, Patkelghata, Jethna, Magura, Khalish Khali, Bardal, Budhata, Parulia, Sakhipur, Gazirhat, Nalta, Nazimgonj, Montala, Iswaripur, Munshigonj and Kaikhali in the district.

This illegal trading is going on with virtual impunity as law enforcers do not enforce wildlife laws, sources said.

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Heron, Snipe, Duck, Dove, Wild Duck, Stork, Swan and other guest birds are on sale now.

Abdul Hamid, 30, of Aruakhali village in the Sadar upazila collects guest birds from poachers at Tk 40 to 80 each depending on size and sells those at Tk 70 to 120 each at Banshdah Bazar and also in villages.

Asked by this correspondent, he said he purchased the guest birds from poacher Arshad Ali of the area.

"I maintain my family by selling guest birds during winter". The profit is good, he said.

Saiful Islam of Satani village in the Sadar upazila said at Satani Bazar, "I sell these (guest) birds in every winter".

Hundreds of poachers and traders catch the guest birds and sell those in markets, they said.

Sale of such birds on the nose of law enforcers at bus stoppages at Satkhira town is also a common sight.

"The Wild Animal Conservative Act, 1974 has not been enforced strictly due to lack of wide publicity and seriousness on the part of law enforcing agencies," said Shahidul Islam, Director of Uttaran, a local NGO.

"Though the law is very stringent, their enforcement is rarely seen" he said.

The law provides for six months' jail or Tk 5,000 fine or both and confiscation of firearms used for hunting guest birds. Only the District and Sessions Judge has the authority to hear bail petitions in cases filed under the Act, sources said.

"People of the country including law enforces regard bird hunting a minor crime" observed a retired government college principal, Prof Asit Kumar Majumdar.

About 80 species of birds come to Bangladesh from Siberia and other cold regions during winter to escape chilling cold and due to lack of food there.

Environmentalists say more than 50,000 birds used to come to the district earlier from Syberia to escape chilling clod there. The number will not exceed 20,000 this year, they said.