CHAR FASSON, BHOLA, Jan 13: This winter season coming of migratory bird has decreased due to lack of suitable environment in Char Fasson Upazila of the district.
Emerged chars in rivers, and damages of food chains and migrating zones have caused to that un-friendly habitat facilities for the migratory birds.
According to field sources, this year migratory birds have appeared very poorly in the southern coastal zone.
According to Migratory Bird Census-2024 conducted in the last nine days, from January 2 to January 10 by Bangladesh Birds Club (BBC), usually countrys most birds move in 21 chars in the south coastal zone of the district. But this year birds are not seen in these chars.
Bird experts said, migratory birds are arriving thinly due to salinity impact on the environment and lack of the natural balance.
Yearly about 4.5 lakh migratory birds come to these 21 chars including Dhalchar, Patila, and Kukri in the Char Fasson Upazila, Monpura Upazilas Char Nizam, Kolatalir Char, Gorindar Char, and Char Pial.
Chief of the bird census team Sayem ul Chowdhury said, in the nine days, they have counted 34,312 birds of 62 species in Bhola; compared to the last year 2023, very poor number of birds was sighted; in 2023, 54,180 birds of 65 species were counted; but about 33,000 birds were counted in 2022.
In the last 36,000 years (1987-2024), the bird census has been made. Over these years, bird coming has decreased mostly.
The bird census team conducted their drives from Bhola Kheyaghat to Tentulia, Ilisha, Meghna, Meghna-Tentulia sea estuary, and Bura Gouranga River.
Team members said, they counted both local and migratory birds of 62 species in 46 emerged chars in sea estuaries and rivers including Char Mohammad, Kaniboga, Bholarchar, Char Boiragi, Madhupur, Neyamatpur, Hujurer Khal, Char Jahiruddin, Kazirchar, Moulvirchar, Dhalchar, Nijum Dwip, Domarchar, Jahajia Subarnachar, Ganduriar Char, Char Kukri-Mukri, Andarchar, Sonarchar, Rozinarchar, Char Shahjalal, and Tegrarchar.
The BBC census team included its General Secretary M A Muhit, former vice-president Md Faisal, and bird expert Nazim Uddin Khan.
Sayem ul Chowdhury, also vice-president of BBC, said, in the Tegrarchar they sighted a duck of rare species of Boikal Tili, which was seen many years back in the area. Also greatly endangered bird of Chamachthunto Batan species was sighted at Ganguarchar.
Endangered Boro Naut and nearly endangered Gangchosa were seen.
The highest number of birds was seen at Swarnadwip, with 4,057 birds of 31 species, followed by Domarchar, Andarchar and Tegrarchar.
Flying thousands of miles migratory birds come to the Bhola coast in search of food. Later on, they lay eggs and hatch. After the winter, they go back with their chicks.
According to experts and observers, about 60 per cent migratory birds in the country land in Bhola; in this district, many endangered and nearly endangered birds are seen.
To increase the number of migratory birds, different solutions to the problems should be found, so that birds, local people and environment can be benefited, Sayem added.
