Poaching of migratory birds rampant in Rajshahi region

RAJSHAHI, Jan 15: Poaching of migratory birds goes on unabated in Rajshahi region.
A huge number of migratory birds have arrived in this winter season and taken shelter on different trees, canals and river banks of the district like other parts of the country.
The guest birds, however, will leave for their homeland after the winter season. The arrival of migratory birds gives a new look to the different canals, trees, and river banks across the country.
While the singing of these birds makes an ear-soothing ambiance in the respective areas, some greedy bird poachers are hunting the migratory birds in the district.
Thousands of the birds including Cakha, Royal-Duck, Salti, Kadecura, Harikal and Balihas have been arriving here like the previous years.
According to field sources, the illegal hunters are randomly poaching the birds, setting up trap, using current net trap, toxic food trap, gun, and rifle violating the law. After poaching the migratory birds, they sell the birds in the markets and eat these during picnic. The poachers are not only hunting migratory birds but also poaching the indigenous birds like Dove, Water Fowl, Water-Duck, Egret and others.
While visiting different chars (islands), river bank area and forest zone in the Tanore, Godagari, Bagha, Kakhanhat and Mundumala areas of the district, this correspondent found that the bird poachers are very much active in these areas and are killing a number of birds every day.
Some birds have been found dead at Chor-Khanpur on Friday noon; these took toxic food. Anisurzzaman Mohammad Saleh Reza, Professor of Zoology Department at Rajshahi University has collected three dead birds from the char for research work.
While talking to The Daily Observer, bird poachers Samsur Rahman and Sumon, both are resident of Godagari Padma Bank area, said that they use current net to make trap and hunt the birds from the Padma bank, canals and trees here. Later, they sell the birds in the markets and earn money.
Sometimes they also arrange picnic to make delicious roast of the migratory and indigenous birds in the winter season, the poachers added.
Wild Animal Management and Forest Department Officer Abul Kalam said that a huge number of migratory birds generally come to the country in winter and take shelter on different trees, canals and river banks here. But some hunters violating the law are hunting these birds, setting up trap, using current net trap, toxic food trap, and gun.
"Our department is very alert to control bird hunting. Necessary measures would be taken against them who are involved in bird hunting," the officer added.
Professor Saleh Reza said some dishonest and greedy hunters are hunting the migratory birds and selling these in the markets.
The government passed a law to save the wild animal and birds in 2012 where bird poaching is a punishable act; the administration should take strong steps to control the bird hunting across the country, he added.