Bird poachers active in Lalmonirhat
L-R: A hunter aims his air gun at a bird sitting on a tree branch at Maralhat village in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila a few days ago. The area sees rampant poaching of migratory birds in winter. A man holds a bat to attract customers on Hospital Road in Lalmonirhat town as the animal also falls prey to poachers.Photo: STAR
Bird hunters have become active, especially in different bordering areas of Lalmonirhat district, during the winter that sees a large number of migratory birds. Most of the perpetrators engage in the unscrupulous act for seasonal earning while others do it just as pastime. "A section of people are seen moving around Dalai Lama Beel, a large water body at Durgapur village, for hunting birds that come to the country during this season," said Abdus Sattar, a member of Durgapur union parishad in Aditmari upazila. “We the local people protest bird hunting at Dalai Lama Beel but our urge often falls into deaf ears,” he said. Monsur Ali, a schoolteacher at Kulaghat village, said, "Bird hunters crowd this area on Dharla River basin for hunting birds every winter season. Their illegal act goes on openly. Sometimes the villagers protest it but to no effect." "I hunt birds every winter as it is my hobby. I go to different villages for hunting birds. I can hunt six to ten birds a day,” said Harun Shaikh, 42, a resident of Thanapara in Lalmonirhat town, who recently came to Vatibari village in Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila for hunting birds. Hamidur Rahman, 45, a resident of Karnopur village in Lalmonirhat upazila, said, "Many people hunt wildlife to earn money. We go to different remote villages especially in the border areas for hunting wildlife, especially different birds.” “Each of us can hunt 10 to 12 birds a day. Many town dwellers purchase the hunted birds for eating,” he said. Seeking anonymity, another hunter said, "I know there is law against hunting of wildlife including birds. But many people hunt wildlife during the winter season.” "I hunted eight bats from Kurul village of Lalmonirhat Sadar upazila yesterday and sold them in the town today for Tk 80 to 120 each,” said Sobur Miah, 48, who was seen selling a hunted bat at Hospital Road in the town a few days ago. “I have been hunting birds for the last ten years. I don't know about any law against bird hunting,” he said. Tobibor Rahman, 40, a resident of Shaheed Shahjahan Colony village in Lalmonirhat town, said, "I have purchased two bats from a hunter in the town this morning for eating.” Mentionable, a section people in the area eat bats, especially in the belief that it will cure asthma. "Hunters become active to poach wildlife during the winter season. Most of them are not aware about the relevant law," said Lalmonirhat District Livestock Officer Dr Abu Hossain Sarker.
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