Common people are witnessing the continuous arrival of migratory birds from the Himalayan and Siberian regions in the water bodies across the northern region (N-region).
The riverine char areas and water bodies have worn an eye-catching look with arrival of migratory birds and their well-mannered flying and movement giving nature a decent fleeting glance.
Local people and environmental experts said the number of arriving migratory birds from the colder northern hemisphere is comparatively higher this time than previous few years.
The migratory birds are living on small fishes, insects, small snails and watery plants after arriving in the region.
Talking to BSS, senior coordinator (Agriculture and Environment) of RDRS Bangladesh Mamunur Rashid said the number of arriving migratory birds declined in recent decades following adverse impacts of climate change.
“The temperature is incessantly rising in the Himalayan, Siberian, Nepal, Xinxiang and Mongolian regions making those places habitable to some extent for birds even during the winters,” Rashid said.
The temperature starts falling sharply in those regions from early November and making hardly habitable for birds in December, January and February in every year with little variations.
“As a result of increasing cold in those regions from November, migratory birds are arriving in comparatively higher numbers in the water bodies of the northern region in the country this year,” Rashid added.
Professor of the Department of Bengali of BRUR and Director of the Riverine People Dr Tuhin Wadud said migratory birds are not seen in uncountable numbers in the water bodies like 30 to 35 years back in the northern region.
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“Nevertheless, it is very good news that the number of arriving migratory birds is higher this season despite reduction in the number and areas of water bodies and depletion of many species of sweet water fishes from marshes,” he said.
He blamed global climate change that caused drying-up of the rivers creating threats to biodiversity, ecology and environment, making imbalance in nature forcing extinction of many species of fishes, insects, birds and some animals.
“The number of arriving migratory birds might reduce and their duration of stay be shortened as the water bodies would dry up much earlier before end of the winter season as if the climatic situation continues to deteriorate,” Dr Wadud added.
The migratory birds have already arrived in the 'Ramsagar Dighee' in Dinajpur having 77.90 acres of water body with 68.54 acres of banks with gardens all-around.
“The number of visiting tourists to the Ramsagar National Garden has increased as the migratory birds of different colours are creating pleasant moments by flying in the air and coming down on the water again and again,” he added.
Similarly, migratory birds are arriving in the 'Neel Sagar Dighee' in Nilphamari where common people are enjoying pleasant arrival and well-mannered flying and movement of the birds giving nature a decent fleeting glimpse.
Chairman of Chilmari upazila in Kurigram district Shawkat Ali Sarker, Bir Bikram, said the number of guest migratory birds arriving in the riverine areas on the Brahmaputra basin is comparatively higher this time compared to the previous years.
“A good number of Pintail, 'Pantamukhi', 'Chokha-chokhi' and 'Khonjona', Bali Lenja, 'Chity', 'Sorail', 'Boikal', 'Bali Duck', 'Samukal', Bright, Rose King, 'Nilshir', 'Piyang', 'Pankouri' and 'Rangamuri' are found flocking on the char areas,” Sarker added.