Guest birds no more wing their way to Cox's Bazar wetlands

COX'S BAZAR, Mar 04: Migratory birds have stopped flocking to the coastal wetlands in Cox's Bazar at an alarming rate thanks to indiscriminate poaching, deforestation, loss of habitats and food crisis.

Local sources said guest birds in a large number get killed or injured falling into snares set by cruel hunters when they come down to the wetlands including canals, rivers and reservoirs in search of food.

In addition, birds are losing their habitats due to filling up of rivers and reservoirs, construction of factories and other establishments, urbanisation and indiscriminate cutting of trees and mountains.

Due to these reasons, migratory birds have almost stopped visiting the Cox's Bazar coastline.

Once upon a time, birds from the remote cold regions would take sanctuary in the coastal wetlands and could be seen gathering food in their multitudes. At the beginning of the winter season, guest birds in different groups would enter Bangladesh from India, Pakistan, Thailand, Siberia, Central Asia, Russia and Myanmar after traveling thousands of miles.

These birds were mostly seen in the coastal wetlands of Cox's Bazar. Different species of migratory birds used to build their nests on the branches of trees in the urban and rural areas.

But in the past 10 years, arrival of the migratory birds has decreased at an alarming rate. Environmental activists said even at least 10 years ago, the presence of migratory birds in the canals, rivers and forests during the winter season was remarkable.

During the winter, the entire coast along the banks of the Moheshkhali, Saint Martin, Bankkhali and Matamuhuri rivers used echo with the chirping of various types of migratory birds.

Migratory birds were seen in the coastal marshes of the district, including Saint Martin, Moheshkhali, Inani, Kutubdia, Chakaria, Ramu, Himchari, Chaufaldandi, Pokkhali, Teknaf's Shahparir Dwip, Nazirartek and Sonadia. The most common among the birds were pelican, dove, vadihas and balihas.

Zahidul Islam, a resident of Hoank, Maheshkhali, said at one time, various species of birds were seen in the salt and fish project. These birds looked very beautiful in the water bodies and crop fields. These birds also had special qualities to control crop pests. But these birds are no longer seen. Due to various human interventions, movement of these birds has completely decreased.

Local people say the natural beauty of these birds is now just a memory. Due to deforestation and poaching by unscrupulous hunters, migratory birds are disappearing day by day.

At one time, the influx of migratory birds in the coastal areas was very much noticeable. During winter, millions of migratory birds from different countries of the world used to visit the coast. When the winter season ended, they would leave again. The environment and nature on the coast were enriched by the noise of these birds. Due to urbanisation, deforestation, encroachment on water bodies and lack of adequate campaign against hunting, these birds are becoming extinct from Cox's Bazar.

Dhoritri Rokhay Amra (Dhora) Cox's Bazar General Secretary HM Faridul Alam Shahin said, "Migratory birds are a blessing for our country. These birds maintain the balance of our nature. When the winter cold subsides, migratory birds return to their homeland. After ending their vacation in Bangladesh, they travel thousands of miles to return to their homeland."

He also called upon the local administration to keep vigilant about protecting the natural balance and preserving biodiversity.

He also said the rate of migratory birds arriving has decreased slightly recently due to food shortage and lack of congenial environment. Two of the reasons are environmental disturbance in the areas where these birds take shelter and harassment by hunters.

Ornithologists say many endangered and critically endangered species of birds are seen in this region. Fewer birds have been seen this year; it does not mean that fewer birds have arrived. Maybe they have not been seen. More may come next year. However, arrival of birds has decreased in the past 10 years. The key reason of the decrease is the extinction and destruction of bird habitats.

Experts also say birds are an important component of the environment. The number of migratory birds that come to this country in winter can be used to determine their number in the world and the location of which birds is which region.

Forest department officials said birds are being killed by some insensible hunters.

Forest department teams are in a strong position on this issue, they claimed.

"Whenever we get information about any unscrupulous person harming trees, mountains and birds, we suppress them with force. If necessary, cases are also filed against the offenders," said an official.

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