Due to the prohibited nets, the number of native and migratory birds is decreasing at Tarua beach of Bhola district. Many birds and small species of fish are dying in those illegal nets. On the one hand, the beauty of the beach is being ruined and on the other hand the biodiversity is under threat. Locals and tourists are also having difficulty in navigating the beach due to the pole netting. Therefore, they have requested the concerned authorities to take effective measures to protect the biodiversity.
Tarua beach in one of the tourist centers of Dhalchar union of Char Fashion upazila. The beach is lined with shiny white sand, swarms of red crabs, mangrove forests, and rows of evergreen trees.
During the winter months, hundreds of tourists flock to the beach every day to enjoy the sights of different species of birds, the spectacle of flying and the diving. Meanwhile, local influential people, some unscrupulous fishermen are fishing all kinds of fish freely on the poles in the surrounding chars including the beach of Tarua. Many guest birds died in the trap. This is threatening the biodiversity.
Local fishermen complained that influential people catch all kinds of fish with these illegal poles. If a small net falls into the water and falls on the underwater net, they have to cut their underwater net. Smalltime fishermen suffer a lot from this. But they can't say anything out of fear.
Many tourists said that there are many problems in the movement of trawlers and speed boats due to the net of poles.
The speed boat and trawler got stuck with that net. All species of fish and birds are caught in this net. Many birds died in it. They further said that they requested the concerned administration to expedite the eradication of all these illegal nets.
Chairman of Dhalchar Union Salam Hawladar upon asking, said, "Birds cannot be seen in the dark at night, so even if one or two birds are trapped in the net at night, there is no harm. And small fish do not get caught in this net.”
When he was asked that if these acts put harm to the danger, he brushed off the questions.
Bhola Forest Officer MM Kaiser said strict action would be taken against anyone who harmed nature and the environment by throwing banned nets. He added that the birds should not be caught and killed in any way. Legal action will be taken against those involved.