Guest birds bring delight, fear
Dr S. M. A. Rashid Department of Environment, Paribesh Bhavan Sher-e-Bangla Nagar, Dhaka
The news items with the subject heading published on 12 Dec 2005 (pg. 20) drew my attention. I must mention here that the Coastal & Wetland Biodiversity Management Project (CWBMP) has initiated awareness campaign for the prevention of bird flu and protection of migratory birds against illegal hunting and trapping. CWBMP is a GEF/UNDP funded project implemented by the Department of Environment, Ministry of Environment & Forests working for the management of Ecologically Critical Areas (ECA). Hakaluki Haor was declared as an ECA in 1999 under the Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act 1995. CWBMP organised a public meeting at Talimpur, Borolekha on 29 Nov, '05 with a view to making the community people living in and around the Hakaluki Haor aware of the dangers of the bird flu and how they can take precautionary measures. The meeting was, among others, attended by Mr. Ebadur Rahman, MP; Mr. Eunusur Rahman, Deputy Commissioner, Maulvibazar; Mr. Mustafa Kamal, Upazilla Nirbahi Officer, Borolekha; UP Chairmen from four Unions and many others from various professions, including journalists, students, members from the local villages. Several other awareness campaign meetings addressing bird flu are currently underway that will cover all the eleven Unions within the Hakaluki Haor ECA. The local people are being advised to refrain from hunting or trapping migratory birds and from eating migratory bird meat; keep their ducks and other poultry and cattle away from the haor so that mixing of domestic and migratory ducks is limited/restricted; not to drink or use water from the haor; not to touch any dead bird that they may encounter and report to the Upazilla Livestock Officer. Leaflets/pamphlets highlighting the "DOs & Don'ts" to make the local people aware of the risks involved with bird flu have been printed and are being distributed all over the Hakaluki Haor ECA. I believe the media can play a role in getting the message across.
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