Tanguar Haor sees decline in number of migratory birds this winter

SUNAMGANJ, Jan 24 (UNB): Tanguar Haor sees a decline in the number of migratory birds visiting the area this winter.

Locals and experts attributed to such decline in seasonal 'guest birds' to illegal hunting, loss of forage and biodiversity, and climatic changes among others.

Each year, around 219 species of winged visitors used to flock to the haor by flying thousands of miles from various parts of the world including Siberia, China, Himalaya and many other countries, bringing along a rich natural diversity and beauty to the wetland. These also used to attract a good number of tourists.

But this year, with the utmost disappointment of tourists and bird lovers, the number of visiting birds dwindled sharp.

Locals alleged that, the main reason behind the decline is after-dark bird hunting dodging the guards, lack of forage that birds feed on and powerful lights illuminated on international border fences.

Located in the Dharmapasha andT ahirpur upazilas of northeastern Sunamganj district, Tanguar Haor, is a unique wetland ecosystem of national importance and has come into international focus.

The area of Tanguar haor including 46 villages within thehaoris spanned over an area of 100 sq km. Bangladesh declared Tanguar haor as an Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) in 1999 considering its critical condition as a result ofoverexploitationof its natural resources. In 2000, the hoar basin was declared aRamsarsite - wetland of international importance. With this declaration, the government is committed to preserve its natural resources and has taken several steps for protection of this wetland.

Tanguar haor plays an important role in fish production as it functions as a 'mother fishery' for the country fetching good yearly revenues for the government.

Shuvon Rangsa, an executive magistrate of Tanguar Haor area told the news agency that, migratory birds are not visiting the haor this winter because of the high water level of the wetland and as the forages that birds feed on remained submerged under water.

Claiming that, awareness is being built among the people to stop bird hunting, Shuvon hoped that once the people are aware, they themselves will protect the guest birds.

On the other hand, Mehedi Hassan, assistant project officer of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) told UNB that, birds don't visit the place if the temperature is not favourable for them. High water level is also a reason behind the decline in visiting birds this season, he added.

Locals, tourists, bird lovers - all expect the government to undertake measures to solve the food scarcity problem of the migratory birds as well as putting an end to illegal hunting of the birds in order to protect the environment of Tanguar haor and make it lively with the chirping of winged guests again.