Save the migratory birds from poachers

Migratory birds are our guests, the best friends of nature and environment. The migratory birds come to our country after traveling thousands of miles from different countries of the world for a warm and safe environment and food to escape from the freezing cold. They create a charming atmosphere, folk go in groups to watch birds. There are 28 internationally recognized waterfowl sites within Bangladeshs borders. The largest refuge of the migratory birds is the various wetlands and reservoirs of this country. When winter comes, the reservoirs become lively with the chirping of thousands of birds. These birds started coming to our country from the North Pole, Siberia, Europe, some parts of Asia and the surrounding areas of the Himalayas in the hope of being saved from the severe cold. Migratory birds benefit the environment, eats harmful insects, but bird hunters catch them and sell them. They are victims of cruel deception and sacrifice.

According to Ornithologists, the birds of Bangladesh are mainly of two categories. Residential and non-residential. Migratory birds are known as non-resident birds. There are about 650 species of birds in the country including resident and non-resident birds. Among them 360 species are resident, out of the remaining 300 species, 290 come in the winter season and the remaining 10 species remain in the country. Every year in the winter season, many migratory birds come to visit our country after traveling thousands of miles. We call them migratory birds. Unable to bear the severity of winter, they come to our country. Severe shortage of food during snowfall and severe winter is also one of the reasons for their departure.

With the coming of winter, the migratory birds come from faraway places. The canals, bill, haor, baor or reservoirs of Bangladesh are bustling with the arrival of birds and these migratory birds come to Bangladesh and multiply the beauty of our country. But there are groups of people who hunt these migratory birds - which is never desirable. Especially the seasonal hunters hunt the migratory birds and sell them in the open market. As the migratory birds enhance the natural beauty of the country, they are of immense importance in maintaining the balance.
Many birds come to our country as guests during the winter season, but many of us do not treat them hospitably. Various techniques are used to hunt these birds. After traveling thousands of miles, these birds come to our country to live, but even when they come here, their end is not saved. Their bellies are to be worshiped by some greedy hunter. These migratory birds are often hunted with gunshots, eye lights, earthworms, current nets, snares, poison baits. A class of unscrupulous people continue the business of bird hunting by avoiding the eyes of the administration. Visitor birds are often hunted illegally. Some unscrupulous people get addicted to bird hunting due to the greed of small profits. There is considerable demand for winter migratory birds in the market. If you somehow catch it, you don have to get much momentum to sell it. Many people catch birds and send gifts to the homes of friends and relatives. Many people also invite their relatives with bird meat and have picnics.

Poaching is a punishable criminal offence. The Wildlife Protection Act, 1974 and the Wildlife Conservation and Safety Act, 2012 have provisions for punishment. It states that the maximum penalty for killing birds is imprisonment for one year, a fine of Taka one lakh or both. If someone repeats the same offence, the penalty and fine will be doubled. Besides, if a person collects and sells the meat and body parts of migratory birds, then there is a provision of imprisonment for a maximum of six months and a fine of Tk. 30,000 or both.

It is a matter of concern that the arrival and number of migratory birds is decreasing day by day in our country. Many species of birds are going extinct due to indiscriminate hunting. According to ornithologists, around 130 species of birds have been lost forever since the 17th century due to human abuse. According to a study on birds and environment, the number of migratory birds in our country has decreased by about 40 percent in the last 5 years due to indiscriminate killing of birds. Due to indiscriminate felling of trees, filling of wetlands, deforestation and environmental pollution, as many species of native birds are disappearing, the arrival of visiting birds is also decreasing at an alarming rate. As the biodiversity is being lost due to bird hunting, on the other hand the attack of harmful insects on the cropland is increasing day by day.

Due to these reasons, it is our responsibility to protect native and migratory birds. When birds are sold in the market, the bird-sellers run away after hearing the news. Local conscious citizens should be involved to catch bird poachers. We cannot be defeated by a handful of people. Because migratory birds play an important role in preserving the natural balance and biodiversity. Although there are laws to kill migratory birds, the prevalence of these laws is not very visible. It is necessary to strengthen existing laws to prevent hunting of migratory birds. It is also important to increase the activity of local administration. Poachers should be handed over to the administration. Catching and feasting on migratory birds should be stopped. Birds are ornaments of nature. Migratory birds are our best friends. Especially in protecting the environment, these birds have a big role. Migratory birds are absolute friends of environment and nature, lets protect them together.

The writer is a Banker and Columnist