Bird poachers using 'poison traps' in Hakaluki Haor

Migratory birds, killed by some organised gangs by setting poison traps, lie on Hakaluki Haor in Moulbibazar district. Photo: Star

At least five organised gangs are active at different places in Fenchuganj, Juri, Barolekha and Kulaura upazilas to catch birds with 'poison traps' in Hakaluki Haor that attracts a large number of migratory birds flying to the country early winter.
On February 9, around a hundred domestic ducks died after taking poisonous food used in the traps set by two poachers of Talimpur union under Barolekha upazila in Gorjikona Beel of the haor.
Owner of the ducks took 35 of the dead birds to Barolekha police station and filed a case.
On January 18, the Directorate of Environment (DOE) seized 32 slaughtered migratory birds from Chander Beel area of Hakaluki Haor.
On November 14 last year, over 500 dead migratory birds of different species including pintail duck, common teal and pochard were found at the east part of Gourikuri Beel of the haor in Juri upazila.
"On that day, I saw some nearly dead migratory birds on a dry land at the east side of Gourikuri Beel. When I challenged poachers Azad Miah, 22, and Majid Ali, 25, of Paschim Gobindapur village under Zaifarnagar union of Juri upazila, they threatened me," said Goyendra Biswas, 35, a guard of Paschim Gobindpur Village Conservation Group, employed by the DoE.
On information, the upazila nirbahi officer of Juri, officer-in-charge of the police station and a forest officer visited the spot and collected four dead birds to ascertain the type of poison used to kill the birds.
"A few cases have been filed with police station against several people involved in the crime. Action will be taken against the organised gangs involved in poaching migratory birds," said Range Officer Gazi Golam Mostafa of Wildlife Preservation and Nature Protection Division's Moulvibazar office.
The deputy commissioner of Moulvibazar on January 4 last year announced Tk 5,000 reward for anyone who would catch a bird poacher but it has hardly left any impact on the callous act in Hakaluki Haor.