Fewer migratory birds coming to Bangladesh

The number of migratory birds arriving in northern parts of Bangladesh from the Himalayan and Siberian regions has seen a sharp decline in recent years.
The number of birds flying in from the Himalayan, Siberian, Nepal, Xinxian and Mongolian regions is receding as the average temperature there is increasing due to adverse climatic change making it unnecessary for the birds to come to Bangladesh.
“So, the number of arriving migratory birds has been decreasing in the region during the winters indicating a further decline in future,” said Agriculture and Environment Coordinator of RDRS Bangladesh Mamunur Rashid.   
The elderly in Bangladesh's northern parts noted that a fewer number of Bali Duck, Samukal, Bright, Rose King, Bali Lenja, Chity, Sorail, Boikal, Nilshir, Piyang, Pankouri, Rangamuri, Pintail, Pantamukhi, Chokha-chokhi and Khonjona flock to the country's water bodies, beels, haors, marshy lands and major rivers.
Horticulture Specialist of the Department of Agriculture Extension (DAE) Khandker Md Mesbahul Islam said migratory birds generally take temporary shelters in swamps, char areas, beels, haors and extended water bodies before they start flying back in March.
The guest birds live on small fishes, insects, small snails and watery plants after arriving to the region in search of protection from severe cold and fog, said former Rangpur divisional forest officer Muhammad Abu Yusuf.
Kamal Shariful Alam, former director of the DAE, said these migratory birds are no longer seen coming in numerous flocks due to climate change as well as reduction of the water bodies and depletion of many species of sweet water fishes from the marshes in the country.
Dr MA Mazid, assistant director of Agriculture of BRAC International (South Asia & Africa), said impacts of the adverse climate change are threatening the country's biodiversity along with agriculture, ecology and environment.
As a result, the number of arriving migratory birds has been reducing and also their duration of stay has been shortening as climate change is making water bodies dry up quickly.
Executive Director of Northbengal Institute of Development Studies Dr Syed Samsuzzaman said many species of migratory birds visited the country during winters in ancient times when huge water bodies, forests and hilly sanctuaries remained undisturbed.