Wildlife finds place at book fair

There is something majestic about the national animal of our country. The reddish orange with narrow black, gray or brown stripes and the icy blue eyes of a Bengal Tiger not only creates fear among its preys; it exudes royalty through its strength and splendour.

According to Tiger expert Khasru Chowdhury not more than 50-60 people were killed by tigers in the 14 countries where the animal dwells primarily; where as, 300 were killed by elephants, 7,000 from snake bites and 300 by crocodile every year. Still, there are a good numbers of stories on tigers, its agility and hunting prowess compared to other animals.

Khasru, in his book, "Sundarbaner Bagher Pichhu Pichhu [Following Tigers of the Sundarbans]" wrote about the habits and habitats of the Bengal Tiger.

In one of his stories, Khasru vividly pointed out how a tiger attacked a fisherman Torab Ali and dragged him to the deep forest. Locals followed the tiger by tracing its footprint on clay. Three hours later, they only found some leftover body parts of Torab. Hunter Ziaul Huq set up a 12-foot high tower to hunt it down. Several hours later, the tiger reappeared to eat the leftover. As it approached, Huq shot it.

The Bengal Tiger is one of the prominent indigenous animals of Bangladesh. Two hundred years ago, they were found everywhere. But after 60s, it has been found only in the Sundarbans.

The book, published in this February, is now available at the pavilion of Somoy Prokashon at the Amar Ekushey Granthamela 2016.

Also, a book on the birds of Bangladesh "Feathered Splendours Birds of Bangladesh" written by a bird expert Enam Ul Haque can be found at The University Press Ltd.

In the book, bird enthusiasts can find much information on birds and enjoy stunning photographs. The book, published in 2014, classified birds according to its habitats.

Meanwhile, Director General of Bangla Academy Dr Shamsuzzaman Khan yesterday formally launched the book "Sangbadikota: Offline Online" written by senior journalist of The Daily Star Mahamudul Haque.

Among others, Secretary of ICT Division Shyam Sunder Sikder and noted thinker, social scientist Dr Mizanur Rahman Shelley, former secretary general of Bangladesh Federal Union of Journalists Abdul Jalil Bhuyian were present. The book is available at stall no 281-282 of Academic Press and Publishers Library at the Granthamela.

A total of 93 new books hit the fair yesterday.