Demand bird specialists, conservationists at a seminar
Bird specialists and conservationists at a seminar yesterday underscored the need for protective measures for Sonadia Island, a key winter home to many shorebirds threatened or near-threatened worldwide.
They voiced concern over the possible construction of a deep-sea port there, terming the island a unique shelter for the critically endangered shorebirds.
The government should strongly consider environmental aspects and conduct a competent environmental assessment before undertaking any project there.
Sonadia Island is on the southeast coast of the country in Cox’s Bazar and was declared Ecologically Critical Area (ECA) in 1999.
Bangladesh Bird Club and Wetland Trust of the UK jointly organised the seminar on ”Threatened and near-threatened birds of Sonadia Island” at IDB Bhaban in the city.
Ornithologist and Bangladesh Bird Club President Enam Ul Haque said six globally threatened and near-threatened bird species including Spoon-billed sandpiper, Spotted Greenshank, Great Knot, Black-tailed Godwit, and Eurasian Curlew flock to the island every year.
He said the government has taken a measure to conserve vulture which is on the brink of extinction, but measures are still untaken to save more critically endangered shorebird species.
“We want the government to take an immediate step to save the birds living in the coasts,” he said. “We must conserve Sonadia Island.”
He suggested human disturbance in the area be reduced for at least six months, and trapping of shorebirds in the mudflats and roosting areas be checked.
Construction of any seaport or bridge there will greatly impact the island and its biodiversity, added Haque.
Presenting the findings of a bird ringing camp at Sonadia, he said many countries in the world have been celebrating hundred years of bird ringing whereas Bangladesh has started the first-ever bird ringing this year.
Bird ringing is of many uses including carrying out long term researches and locating the migration routes of the migratory birds, he said. They ringed 35 migratory birds at the bird ringing camp in Sonadia, he added.
Stefan Priesner, resident representative of UNDP; Dr Niaz Ahmed Khan, country representative of IUCN Bangladesh; and bird specialists Nick Dymond, Andrew Pierce, Philip Round, and Paul Thompson; also spoke.
