CHATMOHAR, PABNA, Dec 3: Chalan Beel, the country's largest wetland, has once again turned into a sanctuary for migratory birds with the onset of winter. Thousands of birds of different species have arrived in flocks, filling the beel with colour and sound.
Every year, as floodwater recedes in October and November, birds travel thousands of miles in search of food. This season, whistling ducks, egrets and night herons are particularly abundant, alongside pintails, shovelers, moorhens, cormorants and other species. They will remain until late February, feeding on small fish and insects across the vast fields and water bodies.
Historical records show Chalan Beel once spanned over 1,088 sq km across six districts of Rajshahi Division. Today, it covers parts of Sirajganj, Pabna and Natore-10 upazilas, 62 unions and 1,600 villages. The beel is fed by 21 rivers, 71 canals and 93 smaller wetlands, though many have since disappeared.
Locals say the arrival of birds has made the area a destination for nature lovers. "As floodwaters recede, flocks of colourful birds float across the beel, feeding on fish and insects," said Hasu, a resident of Handial Village.
But poaching remains a serious threat. Unscrupulous hunters use nets, poison bait and traps to catch birds, later selling them in village markets. Prices range from Tk 100-150 for egrets, Tk 300-450 a pair for night herons, and Tk 400-600 for whistling ducks. Demand for bird meat is high, with buyers often placing advance orders by phone.
Environmentalists warn that indiscriminate hunting is upsetting ecological balance. "Birds not only add beauty but also help farmers by eating pests. But despite wildlife protection laws, enforcement is weak. As a result, native species are disappearing and fewer migratory birds are arriving," they said.
Chatmohar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Musa Naser Chowdhury acknowledged the problem. "Bird hunting is a punishable offence. We will conduct drives in the beel to stop poachers' activities," he said.
For now, the calls of migratory birds echo across Chalan Beel, turning the wetlands into a spectacle of nature. But without stronger protection, the chorus may fade, leaving silence where wings once filled the sky.
