Prohibited migratory and wild birds are being sold openly in various hats and bazaars of Fakirhat upazila in Bagerhat district.
According to locals, several organised groups are hunting migratory and wild birds taking shelter in water bodies, including Baruidanga Beel, Bogura Beel, Kodla Beel, Huchla, Dahar Mouvbhog, Mulghar, Faltita, Kakdanga, Kolkolia and Kendua Beel.
Conservation-conscious locals claim hunters are killing birds, arriving this winter in search of food and shelter, almost without hindrance. After capture, the birds are sold openly in local markets or secretly concealed in bags.
Prices vary by size and species; for example, migratory birds fetch between Tk 300 and Tk 1,000 per pair, while native species sell for Tk 150 to Tk 500 per pair.
Driven by high profits, a section of unscrupulous individuals has become involved in the illicit trade. Several networks operate through trusted contacts, fulfilling phone orders and delivering birds at predetermined locations. Buyers reportedly include members of the local elite and people from various professions.
Open trade in prohibited migratory birds has been observed in Fakirhat Bazar, Faltita Bazar, Mansa Bazar, Town Nowapara Hat and Kolkolia markets.
Species on sale included night herons, painted storks, dunkers, kheni, snipes (mud-probers), khurule, jacanas, wild ducks, sarus cranes and kunchushi, among others. Native species such as Kani herons, white egrets, doves and dahuks were also being traded.
A visit to Faltita Fish Market on Monday revealed multiple individuals carrying wild birds for sale. A teenager was seen negotiating prices for ten to twelve wild Kani herons. Upon noticing journalists, vendors swiftly left the area.
Hunters are reportedly adopting new tactics and frequently changing locations to evade administrative surveillance.
Local nature enthusiasts have demanded stricter monitoring and decisive action from local authorities.
Commenting on the issue, renowned ornithologist Sharif Khan noted that migratory birds arrive in Bangladesh every winter from Siberia, China, Mongolia, India and other Himalayan regions.
"Under the Wildlife (Preservation and Security) Act, hunting or keeping any wild bird or animal is a punishable offence," he said, emphasising the need for wider awareness campaigns.
Eastern Sundarbans Divisional Forest Officer Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury stated that the forest department is actively working to protect wildlife and biodiversity.
"If we receive specific information, we will conduct drives with administrative support. We seek cooperation from all citizens to safeguard our wildlife and ecological diversity," he added.
Conservationists warn that unchecked hunting not only violates national law but also threatens ecological balance and Bangladesh's commitments under international wildlife treaties.
They urge the administration to strengthen field monitoring, prosecute offenders and launch community-based awareness initiatives ahead of the next migratory season.
AAT/AM
