The 13th bird fair was observed on Jahangirnagar University (JU) campus on Friday amid festivity and chirping of migratory birds along with the excitement of enthralled birdwatchers and avian enthusiasts of all ages.
Country Director of International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Ishtiaq Ahmad inaugurated the fair around in the morning by releasing balloons on the Zahir Raihan Auditorium premises.
The Zoology Department of the university organised the fair aiming at raising awareness about birds and the biodiversity of Bangladesh in association with Bangladesh Bird Club, IUCN, Aronnok Foundation and Wildlife Rescue Centre.
The daylong fair ended following inter-university bird identification competition, photo exhibition on birds, bird watching for children, painting competition, speech competition and prize awarding ceremony among the winners.
The inaugural session was addressed by Executive of the Ministry of Environment and Forest Dr Sayed Hossain, Inam Al Haque, founder of Bangladesh Bird Club, following the unveiling ceremony of two books named "Amphibians and reptiles of Bangladesh" and "Biodiversity of protected areas of Bangladesh" were unveiled.
The function was moderated by Prof Dr ATM Atikur Rahman while Convener of the fair Prof Manirul Hasan Khan, bird researchers Prof Dr Mostafa Firoz and JU Proctor Prof Dr Tapan Kumar and Deans of different faculties also addressed the function, among others.
Later, a colorful rally was brought out from the premises of Zahir Raihan Auditorium that ended at the starting point after marching the main points of the campus.