Bangladesh's largest water body Chalan Beel changes its form according to the season. Just as the wide expanse of water in the rainy season fascinates people, so does the yellowish color of mustard flowers at the beginning of winter. Migratory birds begin to arrive in Chalan Beel at the beginning of winter. The guest birds seek happiness by fluttering their wings in the water bodies.
According to the history of Chalan Beel, the area of the submerged part of Chalan Beel was over 500 square miles, excluding the settlements in 1827. A 1909 challan bill survey report showed the area of the challan bill was 142 square miles. Of this, 33 square miles are covered with water all year round. There are 39 major Beels in the Chalan Beel covering an area of 1,757 hectares. Some other rivers including Atrai, Nandakuja, Gumani, Baral, Karatoya, Tulshi, Chenchua, Bhadai, Chiknai, Banganga Barnai and others have flowed through this vast water body. In these rivers, migratory birds come in winter from the colder part of the world, specially the northern countries.
Some species of native birds also enhance the beauty of these water bodies. All in all, the water and land area of Chalan Beel is now filled with the buzz of Cormorant, Herons, Harial, Hargila, Ratchora, Balihans, Italy, Shirley, Piyaj Kheko, Trishul, Batila, Narulia, Lalsvar, Kadakhoncha, Fefi, Dahuk, Goyal, Shamuk and others. The grouping of these birds is fascinating everyone. On this occasion, a class of amateur bird hunters are trying to hunt birds for the purpose of eating and professional bird hunters are trying to hunt birds for sale.
In Naogaon village of Tarash upazila of Sirajganj, innumerable migratory birds have come to the river Karatoya, in Jayasagar of Nimgachhi, in Sartia village of Bhangura upazila of Pabna. These reservoirs are abuzz with the chirping of thousands of migratory birds. Bird lovers are gathering every day to see the birds. Although the water of the reservoir has decreased a lot, the beauty has not diminished.
In the village of Sartia in Sarjamin Bhangura upazila, Police have put up signboards so that no one can kill birds in this pond. Abdul Hannan, Togger Master, Majnu, Hanif, Shimul, Abu Tareq Rashedul Hasan and all the people of South Sarutia village are watching and protecting the birds. Alamgir Hossain of South Sarutia said birds have been coming to the jointly owned canal for several years. Birds start coming from November. For about three months, birds live in this water boddy. In the morning and in the afternoon more birds take up position in the canals. At night, the birds stay in the local bamboo groves and other trees. Due to the ban imposed by theMunicipal Mayor Golam Hasnain Russell and as the villagers are watchful, hunters do not come there to hunt birds.
Alhaj Mozammel Haque of Panchshoil village in Chatmohar said people hunt birds without realizing it. By doing this people are destroying the environment and destroying biodiversity. Some of the guest birds that leave their homeland in search of a little warmth in this country can no longer return to their homeland at the end of winter. Firoza Parveen, female vice chairman of Chatmohar Upazila Parishad, said it was very painful to be a victim of greedy bird hunters. People need to be aware of this in order to protect the biodiversity of the challan bill. Bird hunting should be stopped at any cost.
