Bird poaching rampant in Lalmonirhat
Poachers, either professional or amateur, have become active, particularly in the wetlands of Teesta and Dharla river basin areas in Lalmonirhat, during the winter season that witnesses arrival of a large number of migratory birds every year.
Indiscriminate hunting, trapping and selling of different species of local and guest birds is posing a serious threat to wildlife in and around the area.
Unaware of the relevant law, a section of local people are engaged in the illegal act for earning extra money while others do it just for fun.
Mafiar Rahman, a schoolteacher in Sadar upazila, said people from different areas, holding airguns and other traps, crowd the Teesta basin area during this time of the winter.
“About a week ago, villagers caught two poachers with an airgun and later released the offenders when they publicly promised not to hunt any wildlife again,” Mafiar further said.
Shahidul Islam, 47, living at a slum in the town, said he has been poaching birds for earning a living.
“I am not aware of any such law that forbids hunting and selling of wild birds,” Shahidul said.
“Most of the unscrupulous people engaged in poaching wild birds are not aware of the relevant laws,” Nasir Uddin Khan, district livestock officer (DLO) in Lalmonirhat, said.
The DLO said he is planning to start an anti-poaching campaign to grow awareness against hunting of wildlife, especially guest birds, among the people living in the area.
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