In haors, long winter nights hide the hunt for migratory birds

Winter descends softly on the haor wetlands of Moulbivazar. The light fades, silence deepens and with nightfall, the hunters return.

Across the Kawadighi, Hakaluki and Hail haors, native and migratory birds are once again being trapped in nets or shot under cover of darkness, as illegal hunting surges with the onset of the winter season.

Much of the activity unfolds unseen, hidden from both public view and official scrutiny.

During an evening visit around 6:30pm to the Wapda–Kashimpur market beside Kawadighi Haor in Fatehpur union of Rajnagar upazila of Moulvibazar, no birds were openly on sale.

Yet a local man, requesting anonymity, said this absence was deceptive. "Every winter, hunters come back," he said. "Most of the trade happens quietly."

Local residents confirmed that the arrival of migratory birds routinely triggers a rise in night-time hunting, much of it conducted in remote wetlands beyond the reach of regular patrols.

Evidence of the practice was visible on November 28, when several large nets tied to rows of wooden poles were found spread across open fields in Kashimpur, bordering Kawadighi Haor, this correspondent said.

According to locals, such nets are positioned to intercept birds flying low in the dark. Birds caught overnight are sold discreetly to known buyers or taken to markets early the following morning.

Many homes along the haor serve as night-time roosts for Egrets, Cormorants and other migratory species.

At dawn, the birds move in groups to wetlands to feed, returning again at dusk.

"Hunting is also carried out using guns and air guns. Hunters wait for night," said Sadik Mia, a resident of the Hakaluki Haor area.

"They use torchlights to spot and shoot the birds."

Safal Mia, from Hail Haor, said birds hunted there are sold in several parts of Kamalganj, including Adampur, Islampur and Hajipur.

Wildlife experts warn that the impact extends beyond individual killings.

Swapan Deb Sajal, director of the Bangladesh Wildlife Service Foundation, said unregulated hunting is damaging habitats and disrupting breeding cycles.

"This is the peak season for guest birds," he said, "and also the time when hunters are most active."

Nurul Muhaimin Milton, general secretary of the Moulvibazar Environmental Journalists Association, said birds trapped in remote haors and beels are routinely sold in secrecy.

"Many villagers still do not know that hunting birds is illegal.We need stronger laws, awareness and regular campaigns," he said.

Under the Bangladesh Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act 2012, killing, capturing, selling, buying or possessing wild birds is punishable by up to one year's imprisonment, a fine, or both, with higher penalties for repeat offences. Yet enforcement, Nurul added, remains weak on the ground.

Reports of hunting have increased in the Hakaluki, Kawadighi and Hail haor regions, with nets commonly set after dark. Allegations of birds being poisoned in Hakaluki Haor have also surfaced almost every winter for several consecutive years.

Occasionally, rescue efforts surface online. Videos circulated on social media show two Kalem birds and four Sarali ducks being rescued and released on December 2 and November 13.

Locals, however, say such incidents represent only a fraction of what goes unreported.

Last week, environmental activist Tuhin Zubair shared footage recorded at Shapla Beel in Mirzapur, Srimangal. The video shows two birds tied inside a boat and another hanging from a hunter's hand.

"When we tried to take photographs, the hunter said he kills birds every day and no one stops him," Zubair said.

"He even threatened to bury us in the haor. I had to film secretly. They showed no remorse."

Pier Ali, president of the Srimangal Baikka Beel Baragangina Resource Management Organisation, said local groups tasked with protecting fish stocks also try to safeguard birds.

"But appointing more government guards would significantly reduce hunting," he said.

Abul Kalam, divisional forest officer of the Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Division in Sylhet, said regular drives are being conducted in markets, with birds rescued and released when possible.

Operations have taken place in Hail Haor, Baikka Beel and Bhairab Bazar, he said, but manpower shortages limit effectiveness.

Between July and December this year, authorities rescued 82 wild animals, most of them birds, and filed three cases.

"These activities are ongoing," the forest officer said, adding that establishing wildlife offices at the upazila level would enable faster response times.

Awareness campaigns are also being expanded in high-risk areas with support from local organisations and environmental activists.