Poachers active as migratory birds start arriving in northern region
Migratory birds of the Himalayan and Siberian regions have already started arriving at water bodies, beels, haors and major rivers in the country's northern region along with the beginning of winter season now.
Presently, a limited numbers of the birds are flocking and numbers will increase as the temperature dips in the Siberian regions in the coming weeks, said officials, experts and commoners.
They also expressed concern as poachers have already started catching and selling migratory birds at many places and asked for strict application of prevailing laws to stop such acts.
Environmentalist Dr MG Neogi said the number of migratory birds has been reducing due to the adverse impacts of the ongoing climate changes though the number was very high and even uncountable some 15 years ago.
Renowned agriculture scientist Dr MA Mazid said rise in temperatures has been turning the Himalayan, Siberian, Nepalese and Xinxian and Mongolian regions habitable for the birds even during the winters, reducing their migration numbers.
Department of Agricultural Extension Additional Director Kamal Shariful Alam and agriculturist Mezbahul Islam said the number of migratory birds has been decreasing every year with possibilities of further decline in the future.
Locals said fewer numbers of Bali Duck, Samukal, Bright, Rose King, Bali Lenja, Chity, Sorail, Boikal, Nilshir, Piyang, Pankouri, Rangamuri, Pintail, Pantamukhi, Chokha-chokhi and Khonjona are now flocking to the northern water bodies.
The guest birds are now gathering in the major rivers at Noonkhawa, Madarganj, Narayanpur, Berubari, Jatrapur, Begumganj, Hatia, Kodalkati, Ostomirchar, Noyarhat, Mohanganj, Ketabkhan and Tajerhat.
The birds are also flocking to the huge water bodies, beels and haors including Alta Dighee in Naogaon, Neel Sagar in Nilphamari, Ram Sagar in Dinajpur and vast char areas in Rangpur, Gaibandha, Lalmonirhat, Bogra and Sirajganj.
Dr Mazid said the bird's duration of stay has also been shortening in recent times due to drying up of water bodies much earlier before the end of the winter season because of the climate changes.
Experts said about 200 species of migratory birds had to visit the country during the winters since ancient times when adequate number of water bodies, ponds, canals, forests, hilly sanctuaries and overall climate remained undisturbed.
Secretary of Chilmari Press Club Nurul Amin said poachers have been selling the birds openly in Chilmari, Roumari, Sadar, Rajibpur, Ulipur and Nageswari upazilas of Kurigram as in many other places now.
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