'Birds coming back to forest'

This was confirmed from a report of Dr Monirul Khan, a teacher of Zoology Department in Jahanginagar University (JU) recently, says a press release.

Dr Khan's report was based on visits to multiple geo-referenced transects within each of the national parks and sanctuaries by himself and the Bangladesh Bird Club members.

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Both Jungle Fowl and Puff Throated Babbler live near the forest floor and are among the first animals to benefit from a co-management effort of Nishorgo Programme and local stakeholders.

This has resulted in reduction of disturbance of forests to a great extent.

Nishorgo Programme is receiving assistance from USAID through Nishorgo Support Project.

The sites where the indicator bird populations increased are Lawachara National Park in Moulavibazar and Rema-Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary and Satchuri National Park in Habiganj.

It indicates success of the co-management efforts under Nishorgo Programme.

Increased population levels of the two indicator birds strongly suggests that the forest floor is less disturbed, allowing the birds to lay and hatch their eggs and to forage for food more successfully, said Dr Khan.

The two birds along with six other birds were chosen by the Forest Department as indicators of health of the entire forest.

If the conditions at the lower strata of the forest improve for these birds, then it is reasonable to assume that conditions would improve also for other species found there.