JU Correspondent
Terming the slogan on 'Pakh pakhali desher rotno, asun sobai kori jotno' a daylong bird fair was held on the Jahangirnagar University (JU) campus Friday amidst festivity.
Organised by JU Zoology Department with the assistance of Wildlife Rescue Centre (WRC), the fair was inaugurated by acting Vice-Chancellor (VC) Prof MA Matin at Zahir Raihan auditorium of the university.
Additional Secretary of the Ministry of Environment and Forests department Dr Aporup Chawdhury, president of Bangladesh Club Inam Al Haque and Executive Director of Aronnok Foundation Farid Uddin Ahmed addressed the inaugural function, among others.
Moderated by Prof Dr ATM Atikur Rahman, convener of the fair Prof Dr Mostafa Firoz and chairman of JU Zoology Department Prof Dr Shajeda Bagum addressed the function.
JU acting VC Prof MA Matin said, "Due to the deforestation and randomly cutting trees across the country and destruction of natural environment, our atmospheric balance now facing a great threat."
"Some 11 per cent of birds are threatened in Bangladesh due to the frequent deforestation. To save the birds and biodiversity, everybody should be aware of this," he added.
Convener of the fair Prof Mostafa Feroz, a prominent animal researcher of the country and also a teacher of JU Zoology Department, said, "JU has become a protected sanctuary for our feathered friends while 12 to 13 species of migratory birds including others 28 local species usually visit the campus every winter."
"They flock together with 100 other species that live in bushes and lakes of JU. This proves JU to be a sanctuary for the birds," he said.
Hundreds of bird lovers from across the country thronged the campus Thursday to attend the bird fair.
Students from different public and private universities, schoolchildren, teenagers and parents were seen thronging the fair throughout the day.
To identify and learn about different species, several telescopes and binoculars were set up at different spots on the campus.
This year, the award named: 'Big Bird of the Year-2014' was also provided to four persons for the first time for observing highest near extinct and rare species of birds.
Officer of Forest Department Monir Khan and his wife Tania Khan won the first prize, Rezaul Hafiz second and Kiron Khan won the third prize.
In addition, awards were also presented to the different stalls at the book fair along with an exhibition comprising of photographs of endangered bird species, journals and stamps, being held at the JU auditorium.
