Winter guests start arriving

With the advent of winter, migratory birds have started to arrive at the lakes of Jahangirnagar University.

In addition, water lilies have also begun to blossom in the around 20 small and large water bodies.

With the chirping of birds and lilies brightening the liquid landscape -- the campus is now a sight to behold, attracting a large number of visitors.

Most of the birds are gathering at the four lakes -- in front of the administrative building, besides botanical garden, next to Wildlife Rescue Centre (WRC) and Jahanara Imam Hall.

The winter guests have made long journeys before arriving here. Some are from the farthest corners of Siberia and valleys of the Himalayan mountain range. The birds will rest at the campus till April. They live on small fish, insects, snails and aquatic plants.

“About 10 species of migratory birds have already arrived,” said Prof Kamrul Hasan of the Zoology department. Some of the guests include “lesser whistling teal (chhota sarali)” and “greater whistling teal (bara sarali)”.

Around 69 species of guest birds usually visit the campus every winter along with 126 native species, he said.

However, Prof Kamrul said, “Environmental degradation, leasing out lakes for fish farming and failure to ensure a safe haven for the winter guests are some of the reasons behind the reducing number of migratory birds.”

Also, due to a large number of people and vehicles, constant honking and using of the campus as a picnic spot, the quality of the habitat required for migratory birds is degrading, he said.

For example, many of the birds have left the lake beside Jahanara Imam Hall and staying at the other ones due to the abovementioned reasons, he added.

Many of the students echoed him.

Adib Momin Shayer, a final-year student of Zoology, said, “The JU authorities should take immediate steps in this regard.” He also alleged that bird watchers and photographers often bother the migratory birds in a bid to take better snaps.

Contacted, Registrar Abu Bakr Siddique said, “We have already set up fences and boundaries around the lakes. The estate office will supervise the activities of the visitors.”

Like every year, the Zoology department will arrange a bird fair on the campus to raise awareness on migratory birds, scheduled to be held on January 17 next year.