Govt ban defied guest birds being eliminated

KHAGRACHHARI, Jan 6: Defying official ban on guest bird killing hunters in the Chittagong Hill Tracts (CHT) area are pursuing their wild endeavours in a massive scale, reports BSS.

Forest officials said hundreds of winter birds have taken shelter in different jungles and lakes in CHT this year to escape shivering cold and turbulent Siberian weather.

They said Mohalchhari in Khagrachhari district, Publakhali under Langadu thana at Rangamati and Kaptai Lake have become safe sanctuaries for the guest birds. The winter birds also choose ponds, low-marshy areas, and jungles in the hill areas as safe shelters.

The guest birds are either hunted or trapped for sales from various shelters once reputed as safe heavens. Witnesses said, open market price for each of the guest bird ranges from Taka 30 to Taka 60.

Amateur ornithologists and environmentalists have demanded immediate stringent actions against the hunters and trappers.