Hundreds of nature lovers are thronging the Jahangirnagar University campus every day to watch the migratory birds twittering and swimming in the campus lakes.
Now, the dawn breaks on the campus with the sweet twittering and chirping of the migratory birds.
The presence of a huge number birds has turned the campus into a tourist spot where people are coming from different places to enjoy the beauty of the birds.
Different types of migratory birds are gathering on the campus with the advent of the winter.
This year the number of the birds seems greater than the previous year as the authorities have cleaned up the lakes, which were full of Napier grass, to preserve an appropriate environment for the birds.
Though there are a total of 22 lakes on the campus, birds are gathering in the lakes in front of the JU administrative building and behind the Pritilata Hall.
Beside the lakes, the campus is now blessed with other natural elements, which offer a safe haven to wildlife.
A total of 31 species of foreign and local migratory birds visit the campus during the winter which is already a safe habitat of 128 species of local birds.
The local migratory birds come to the campus from beels and haors of Sylhet — Hakaluki and Hyle Haor, Tangaor Beels, Nijhum Dwip and Chittagong hill tracts.
Some species use Bangladesh as a stopover on the way to another country.
Only seven to 10 species of the birds live in the lakes and the others on the trees.
Deshi Khanjana, Pintail, Tufted Duck, Spoon Bill and Moorhen are the endangered species of migratory birds that visit the campus.
The foreign migratory birds come here from Siberia, Mongolia, Nepal, Xinxiang and the Himalayan region in early November to late December and stay until April.
The JU zoology department lecturer, Firoz Mostafa, says, ‘Nowadays birds come here late because of the effect of global warming.’
Visitors from all ages in the capital and different parts of the country come to watch the guest birds sighting by using binoculars.
The JU acting vice-chancellor, Professor MA Matin, says, ‘Public awareness, especially among the students, can play a vital role in maintaining a safe environment for the birds.’
In every January the JU zoology department organises a bird fair on the campus to create mass awareness for saving birds.
Moreover, this year, the JU students also organised an all day music festival titled ‘Pakhider Jonno Gaan’ (songs for the birds) at the JU Muktomancha on December 13.
Courtesy of New Age
