SINGRA, NATORE, June 5: A combined initiative has been launched to protect birds, mother fish, juvenile fish and biodiversity in Chalan Beel in the beginning of the monsoon season, with environmentalists and the administration calling for stronger conservation efforts.
The "Chalan Beel Biodiversity Protection Committee," an environmental organisation, carried out a day-long awareness campaign on Thursday from 10 am across different points of the beel area, including Petrolbangla Point, Satpukurya and the Indrasan submerged road in Singra Upazila.
As part of the programme, the organisation conducted public awareness activities, distributed leaflets, held tea gatherings and formed human chains to highlight the importance of biodiversity conservation in the wetland region.
The event was presided over by Akhtaruzzaman, President of the committee and Assistant Professor at Bilhalti Trimoha Degree College, while journalist Saiful Islam, Founding General Secretary of the organisation, moderated the programme.
Among others present were Organising Secretary Associate Professor Harun-or-Rashid, Associate Professor Jahurul Islam of Pochamaria Degree College, Associate Professor Nurul Islam Badal, Lecturer Sharful Islam Mannan of Chalan Beel Women's College, Lecturer Nahmudul Haque of Nazripur Degree College, and journalists and local community representatives.
Speakers called for protecting birds, mother fish and juvenile fish in the "fish reservoir" Chalan Beel through conservation efforts, stressing the need to restore ecological balance and ensure a sustainable and liveable wetland environment.
They urged coordinated efforts to protect biodiversity and maintain the ecological system of the region.
Meanwhile, in a parallel drive, the upazila administration and the Department of Fisheries conducted an operation at the Ninggin submerged road area and seized banned Chinese fishing nets worth around Tk 200,000. The nets were later destroyed by burning.
The drive was led by Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Abdullah Al Rifat, Senior Upazila Fisheries Officer Shahadat Hossain, and Agriculture Officer Khandaker Farid, among others.
The UNO said drives against illegal Chinese nets had been intensified at the beginning of the monsoon season in Chalan Beel.
He added that alongside the administration, local environmental activists were also conducting awareness programmes to protect fish, birds and biodiversity in the beel.
"These combined efforts will help preserve the biodiversity of Chalan Beel," he said.
