Welcoming migratory birds

What concern us are the restrictions the migrating birds face while relocating their habitats in the winter season. Let's not forget, the birds last Friday nestle in a hunt-free sanctuary, not in an open space of water. The number of these birds landing in the protected Mirpur Lake might have doubled, but the number landing on any open waterbody has decreased. The birds feel welcome when left undisturbed. As it is, global warming is having a disastrous effect on birds that migrate large distances, according to researchers; random poaching of rare species can only multiply the attrition.

Though there are strict laws, both against hunting, trapping and trading in birds of endangered species, vendors are seen selling them in the streets of Dhaka in broad daylight, at times even in front of law enforcers. If the law was strictly implemented, the poachers would have been thrown out of business by now. We must ask ourselves -- should we, the majority, allow our nature to be destroyed for the benefits of some unscrupulous traders, who are obviously in the minority?

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Last Friday's programme should be an eye opener of sorts. It proved that if the birds feel safe, then no one could stop them from travelling long distances and nestle in our country. All we need now is mass awareness all around the country to save these endangered species from extinction.