Migratory birds on rise in Baikka Beel

The number of migratory birds as well as native species has increased in Baikka Beel in Srimangal upazila this year. 

About 10,712 birds of 40 species were counted during a survey on January 11 and 12. The number was 8,832 last year and 6,991 in 2015.

The survey team led by Paul Thompson, adviser of CREL (Climate-Resilient Ecosystems and Livelihoods) project, conducted the counting of the birds, Mazharul Islam Zahangir, regional coordinator of the project, said.

Mazharul quoted Thompson as saying that during the survey 40 species of birds, including 16 migratory and 24 native aquatic, were counted in Baikka Beel.

According to the recent survey, funded by CREL and organized by Bangladesh Birds Club, four new species of aquatic birds, including falcate duck, gray leg goose, northern lapwing and common shell duck, were found, Mazharul said.

Earlier, about 1,174 birds, migratory and native species, were counted in the first ever survey conducted by the same organisation in 2005, he added.

"In the last few years we have planted many trees, including palmyra seed, so that birds can make their nests and boost their population naturally” Mazharul said.

Baikka Beel, a water body comprising of 1,000 hectares of land, was declared sanctuary for birds and fishes by the government in 2003, aiming to protect and restore aquatic biodiversity in the haor area.