Migratory birds land on JU sanctuary
Sunday, 21 December 2008
SAVAR, Dec 20 (BSS): The dawn at the Jahangirnagar University (JU) begins with the chirping of migratory birds, which have already landed in flock on the lakes of the campus, familiar as a safe abode of wildlife.
With the very advent of winter, tens of thousands of migratory birds, locally known as guest birds, have already come at the campus like previous years. With the presence of these guest birds, the JU campus has turned into a tiny tourist spot, which always attracts visitors and nature lovers.
The JU campus is naturally equipped with 22 small and large lakes, uneven bushy lands red in colour and blooming red lily in water bodies inside the campus, which offers a safe haven to the wildlife, especially for the birds.
Every year, migratory birds pay visit here from remote icy lands like- Siberia, Mongolia, Nepal, Xinxian and Himalayan region to have a winter vacation from the early November to late December and stay until April.
Around 9 to 10 per cent migratory birds, coming in Bangladesh territory in winter season, landed at JU lakes, safe paradise for them. Most of them are duck and duck like species of birds. The other species include 'Sharali, Pochard, Flycatcher, Heron, Comb duck, and others.
The lake in front of JU administrative building and lake beside Jahanara Imam Hall are the main places for the congregation of the birds. The guest birds live on small fishes, insects, small snails and watery plants.
"About 50 species of migratory birds have come here this year", a professor of Zoology department of the university said. These birds usually come to this territory in winter to protect them from severe winter and dense fog, he added.
The JU authorities have already taken proper measures to ensure security for the guest birds by declaring most of its lakes safe abode. The authorities have set up fence and boundaries around the lake to bar random movement across the lakeside.
Visitors of all ages from neighbouring capital city as well as from different parts of the country throng here every day to enjoy hide and seek game of the migratory birds in the sanctuary of JU lakes. The campus is resounded with the chirping and cheering of migratory birds swimming on the water bodies and flying on the open sky all day long.
Every year, the JU authorities arrange traditional bird fair here to raise awareness about the birds as well as offering additional attraction for the visitors. Display of pet birds and portrayals of birds are the prime attraction to the fair.
Professor of Zoology Professor Dr Mostafa Firoz said, "Around ten thousand migratory birds usually land on the JU lakes every year". "But, the number is decreasing day by day due to adverse environment, increasing hue and cry across the lake side, and insecurity for them on the lakes," he added.
The migratory birds started to come here from 1986 and continue to come till now because of the suitable environment here, he also said.
He also called upon all to be more conscious about the birds which are responsible to preserve the ecological and biodiversity.
With the very advent of winter, tens of thousands of migratory birds, locally known as guest birds, have already come at the campus like previous years. With the presence of these guest birds, the JU campus has turned into a tiny tourist spot, which always attracts visitors and nature lovers.
The JU campus is naturally equipped with 22 small and large lakes, uneven bushy lands red in colour and blooming red lily in water bodies inside the campus, which offers a safe haven to the wildlife, especially for the birds.
Every year, migratory birds pay visit here from remote icy lands like- Siberia, Mongolia, Nepal, Xinxian and Himalayan region to have a winter vacation from the early November to late December and stay until April.
Around 9 to 10 per cent migratory birds, coming in Bangladesh territory in winter season, landed at JU lakes, safe paradise for them. Most of them are duck and duck like species of birds. The other species include 'Sharali, Pochard, Flycatcher, Heron, Comb duck, and others.
The lake in front of JU administrative building and lake beside Jahanara Imam Hall are the main places for the congregation of the birds. The guest birds live on small fishes, insects, small snails and watery plants.
"About 50 species of migratory birds have come here this year", a professor of Zoology department of the university said. These birds usually come to this territory in winter to protect them from severe winter and dense fog, he added.
The JU authorities have already taken proper measures to ensure security for the guest birds by declaring most of its lakes safe abode. The authorities have set up fence and boundaries around the lake to bar random movement across the lakeside.
Visitors of all ages from neighbouring capital city as well as from different parts of the country throng here every day to enjoy hide and seek game of the migratory birds in the sanctuary of JU lakes. The campus is resounded with the chirping and cheering of migratory birds swimming on the water bodies and flying on the open sky all day long.
Every year, the JU authorities arrange traditional bird fair here to raise awareness about the birds as well as offering additional attraction for the visitors. Display of pet birds and portrayals of birds are the prime attraction to the fair.
Professor of Zoology Professor Dr Mostafa Firoz said, "Around ten thousand migratory birds usually land on the JU lakes every year". "But, the number is decreasing day by day due to adverse environment, increasing hue and cry across the lake side, and insecurity for them on the lakes," he added.
The migratory birds started to come here from 1986 and continue to come till now because of the suitable environment here, he also said.
He also called upon all to be more conscious about the birds which are responsible to preserve the ecological and biodiversity.