Migratory birds throng Ctg seashore, riverbanks

The weather has been chilly in the port-city for the last several days. A number of migratory and guest birds have now gathered in the seashore areas as well as on the banks of rivers including Karnaphuli, Sangu and Halda.

Bird-lovers are going to the areas along the banks of Karnaphuli River to watch these birds on the holidays. Besides, many city dwellers are going to other riverside areas.

Rajia Begum, a zoologist and bird-lover, said, "Every year, when cold turns severe during the winter season in December-January, exotic migratory birds from Siberia, China and the Himalayan regions come to the seashore areas and banks of Karnaphuli."

Azizul Bari, a dweller of Patenga, said, "The natural scenario of Chattogram changes during the winter due to the presence of a huge number of migratory birds here and there. A number of guest birds have landed in our village, as it is adjacent to the river. Now morning comes to us with the sounds of these birds."

But, there are no effective steps on behalf of the local administration or the Chittagong Port Authority (CPA) for saving the lives of these birds, said locals.

According to the experts, migratory birds, coming from the coldest parts of Central Asia, settle down in the watery marshlands, forest, and plains near the rivers of the nearby South Asian countries because of warm weather, abundance of fresh water, and food. This yearly natural event has been taking place for thousands of years.

Migration is critical for survival of several bird species that make this journey. Most birds are precise in following their migration calendar. Several factors influence their migration. The climate of Bangladesh during the short-spanned winter provides an ideal environment for these birds.

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