Chatter of ‘guest birds’ echo in the beels of Tangail
DOT Desk: Chapra Beel and Boro Beel of Tangail are providing a safe environment for the shelter-seeking birds. Every year thousands of foreign birds of various colors and species migrate to Bangladesh and take shelter in the numerous beels, haors and ponds of the country, reports The Dhaka Tribune.
We call them “guest birds.” These guests come to our country for respite from the extreme cold of their native lands, then return home after a certain period of time. The chattering of these foreign birds can be heard in the various haors and beels of Modhupur and Ghatail in Tangail. People from all walks of life, after a very busy and hectic day of work, visit Chapra Beel in Ghatail upazila and Boro Beel in Modhupur upazila whenever they get a chance, to see these beautiful birds, spend time with them and escape from the hustle and bustle of life.
The guest birds, flying in groups over the blue sky while singing in their sweet voices, creates a scene that mesmerizes visitors, awed by the beauty of these birds. However, the number of guest birds coming to these areas is much less this year than last year.
One of the primary reasons for this decrease is the increase in the number of visitors, violating the natural habitat of the guest birds.
Sajidul Hasan Sihab, a visitor at Chapra Beel said: “I come here every year more than once, especially during the winter season, as the guest birds arrive and the whole place becomes so beautiful. Neither I nor my friends who come here with me disturb the birds.”
When asked about the arrival of guest birds in Tangail, Jahirul Islam, a local resident said: “These birds have been coming here for years. We do not upset the natural habitat of the birds. The sight of these foreign birds on the beel is just amazing.”
Addressing the proceedings, Ghatail upazila Livestock Officer Dr Mannan Miah said: “Actually these birds come to Bangladesh from quite far away during the winter season.”
“Every year we see these birds come and take shelter in different haors, beels and ponds of Ghatail. Nedar Beel and Chapra Beel have the most number of guest birds. I hope that the sound made by shallow engines will not affect the peaceful stay of these foreign guest birds,” he said.
He added: “However, if the sound pollution is not kept in check, then it might have an adverse effect on the birds, and in future they may not even come again.”
“We have to ensure a safe and sound environment for our guests without causing any kind of interruption during their stay,” he said.