Pigeon rearing changes lot of many Chandpur youths

CHANDPUR, Mar 23: Pigeon rearing has changed the lot of many people in Chandpur district. A good number of people, mostly youths in eight upazilas of the district are also keen to rear this beautiful bird at their home.
Locals said Baburhat Bazar in Chandpur sadar, a commercial hub of the district since the British period, has the largest pigeon market which sits every day. On weekly Haat days (Thursdays and Sundays), the market sees numerous pigeons brought here by traders and sellers in cages and the people from far and near buy them. Amateur young pigeon sellers often outnumber pigeon traders at this pigeon Haat.
Ibrahim Sheikh, 40, of Baburhat Bazar has become self-reliant by nursing and selling pigeons in recent years. He said he received training from Jubo Unnayan Kendra in the Ashikathi area in Chandpur sadar a few years ago. "This training is an eye opener for me and many others. It has made me confident enough to rear pigeons for changing my wheel of luck," said Ibrahim who now earns about Tk 8-10 thousand extra per month excluding all expenses of birds' food.
He added that he first reared a few pigeons and took proper care of them as a favourite hobby at his home a few years ago. But now he has as many as 40 pigeons.
Jakir Hossain, 35, another youth who lives in the fishery gate area on the outskirts of Chandpur town, said he started rearing a few pigeons about 15/16 years ago when he was 14 years old. Now he has 15 pairs of pigeons.
He said, "Every month pigeons lay eggs and I sell them at the market with a good return ".
A master's student Mohammad Hedayetullah, 24, of Chandrabazar in Faridganj upazila, said he himself bears his educational expenses with profits earned by rearing and selling pigeons. Talking to the FE, Hedayet said he gets, on an average, Tk 2-3 thousand per month on Haat days by selling pigeons at this market and Chandrabazar.
Siyam and Mahim, both school friends from Torpurchondi village in Chandpur sadar, came to sell their pigeons at this market. Out of hobby, they said, they rear pigeons at home. But they also sell pigeons and earn much pocket money and continue their studies.
Emran Hossain, 16, another student of Kumardughi village under Chandpur sadar upazila, also sells pigeons at this market which he rears at home side by side with his studies and to continue his studies smoothly.
An elderly pigeon trader Dulal Bokaul, 70, a resident of Mohamaya under Chandpur sadar, said he has been selling pigeons at Baburhat Bazar since country's independence in 1971. He sells various species of pigeons apart from little/chick pigeons in cages here and at Bakila Bazar, Mohamaya Bazar, Rajargaon every day and thus maintains his family.
Another pigeon trader Shafiqur Rahman, 45, said Dulal Bokaul and he are happy with the sale of pigeons. They are satisfied with this business and profit and so they did not switch to other business. But they appreciate the youths for rearing pigeons at home to continue their studies.
District livestock officer Dr Bakhtiar Alam said, "In Chandpur district, pigeon is being reared by hundreds of youths and men at home yards." By rearing pigeons, many youths are becoming self-reliant, he said.

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