Migratory birds are being illegally hunted in the haor areas of Sylhet and sold online through social media platforms such as WhatsApp and Facebook.

Videos of the activity are shared by those involved, allowing buyers to negotiate prices via livestream before the birds are slaughtered, packaged, and delivered locally by motorcycle or transported to distant areas using fish trucks.

Recently, Delwar Hossain of Durlabpur village in South Sreepur union, Tanguar Haor, posted several videos of himself hunting migratory birds on Facebook.

His most recent video, shared on December 6, gained widespread attention. Delwar also allegedly went live on Facebook to sell the meat online.

Confirming the matter, Murad Ahmed, chairman of the union parishad, said Delwar's father apologised, claiming his son did not understand the seriousness of his actions and promised he would not repeat the offence.

Enamul Haque, nazir of Sunamganj Senior Judicial Magistrate's Court, said a case had been filed against Delwar by Md Golam Sarwar, forest officer of Moulvibazar Sadar upazila, on January 15 under Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act-2012.

The case accuses Delwar of illegally hunting migratory birds and selling them through a Facebook account named "Haorparer Manush".

Golam Sarwar said a Forest Department team attempted to apprehend Delwar but he managed to escape.

Locals report that hunters use poisoned snails, fish, and torchlight to capture the birds. However, the hunters themselves do not sell the birds directly; separate groups handle sales.

Shakib Ahmed, a resident of Golabari in Tanguar Haor, said hunters inform sellers in advance of their next hunt, after which buyers arrive by boat to purchase the birds, paying Tk 500-1,600 per bird depending on species.

The birds are transported nationwide via three main routes: Madhyanagar, Tahirpur, and Tekerghat, often using fish trucks from Jayashree in Dharmapasha.

The meat is also sold in small food shops, tourist boats, and houseboats in the haor region.

The hunters are particularly active in Lamagaon area of South Sreepur, Amanipur and Ranshi areas in Banshikunda of Dharmapasha, Amtarpur in North Banshikunda, Binodpur and Mendihata in Tahirpur upazila.

Most sellers operate from Kalagaon near the border.

Murad Ahmed, chairman of South Sreepur Union Parishad, estimated that 40-50 professional hunters are active in Tanguar Haor.

Ali Haider, chairman of North Sreepur Union Parishad, alleged that police and Ansar personnel often aid hunters in capturing migratory birds.

This correspondent, posing as a buyer, contacted two sellers. Abdul Hai of Chapaitir, South Sreepur union, allegedly supplies migratory bird meat to businessmen and government officials in Sunamganj and Sylhet.

Robin Ahmed of Sripur village, near the Tahirpur border, delivers birds to various homes in Sunamganj city and surrounding upazilas.

Both sellers were cautious during phone calls, repeatedly asking how their numbers had been obtained and requesting references before agreeing to further discussions.

According to Section 38 of the Wildlife Conservation and Protection Act-2012, killing a bird is punishable by one year in jail, a Tk 1 lakh fine, or both.

Collecting, possessing, buying, selling, or transporting bird trophies, meat, or body parts carries a penalty of six months in jail, a Tk 30,000 fine, or both.

A second offence results in harsher punishments. However, enforcement of the law remains weak in the haor region.

Bird expert Simanta Dipu called for enhanced security measures in haor waterbodies to protect migratory birds.

He stressed the need for proactive action by local authorities to monitor and dismantle social media groups involved in the trade.

Abdul Karim Kim, general secretary of Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon's Sylhet chapter, echoed him.