Mismanagement, unplanned dev decrease migratory birds arrival at JU

Migratory birds are one of the most attractive additions to Jahangirnagar University's (JU) green campus and picturesque lakes in the winter season.

The arrival of migratory birds in the lakes of JU did not happen at the beginning of the winter this year. Very few guest birds arrived. The number of migratory birds at JU has decreased significantly over the last few years.

Every year at the beginning of October, the migratory birds start arriving on the campus. But this year the picture is different. migratory birds are nowhere to be seen except in a protected lake adjacent to the Wildlife Rescue Center (WRC) at the campus. 

Due to the severe cold climate and food shortage conditions, the migratory birds came to Bangladesh after traveling thousands of miles from distant Siberia.

Besides, not being able to survive the cold and heavy snowfall in the Himalayan regions of Mongolia and Nepal, migratory birds move to temperate regions in search of warmth. When winter is over, they return to their native land in spring.

According to the information provided by the Zoology department of Jahangirnagar University, about 6-7 thousand birds used to visit the university in the past years.  Which has reduced to 2500-3000 in the last 3 years. This year this number has further reduced to 2000. 

There are 30 big and small lakes in the university campus. Most of the migratory birds that come to these lakes are duck species.

Among these are Sarali, Pochard, Flycatcher Gargany, Small Jiyara, Pantamukhi, Patari Duck, Waterfowl, Khaira and Kam bird.

Besides, birds like Manikjod, Kalai, Chhota nag, Jalpipi, Nakta, Khanjana Cheetah Tupi, Red Gurguti, Bamunia Duck, Northern Pintail and Sickle-crested also come to this campus.

Experts say that the first sighting of the migratory birds in Jahangirnagar University campus was in 1986. Since then every year migratory birds come here.

Migratory birds are hardly seen in the lakes of Jahangirnagar University campus this winter.

Unplanned development, construction of high-rise buildings, felling of trees, filling of the lakes, lack of proper maintenance of the lakes, high noise pollution and influx of visitors have reduced the arrival of migratory, say ecologists and experts.

Auritro Sattar, student of the JU Environmental Science department (52), grew up on the campus since his birth, as his father had been working as a teacher of the university.

He has also worked with migratory birds for a long time. That's why he observed the change very closely. 

Auritro said, "Due to being in the university, I have been observing the change in migratory birds coming here for many years. Besides, after getting admission the university, I am working on birds and biodiversity. I have also participated in the 2024 bird census. Above all, it can be said that the arrival of migratory birds at JU campus has decreased in alarming percentage."

"Last year also around 2500 birds came which was 6000-7000 earlier. This year a total of 2000 birds have arrived. That too only in 2 lakes," he added.

He said migratory birds need a safe and food-rich environment. The birds have declined in JU campus over the past few years due to environmental degradation and unplanned building construction.

"Bird nesting in lakes generally requires that the lake be free of water hyacinth and that the lake has small green plants. This year our campus lakes were not planted with green plants and the birds did not stay here without getting food," he added.

Auritro said the birds in our region consider noise within 72 meters as disturbance. So they have to keep this distance from their habitat and reduce the noise

"The campus administration has to take quick steps to overcome this situation. Shrubs should be grown around the lake.   The lakes should be cleaned and the green plants should be grown before the birds come," he said.

"Above all, I think it is possible to bring back the previous situation by creating a No Human Interaction Zone in the area adjacent to the habitat of the guest birds," he added.

JU Deputy Registrar Abul Kashem (Estate) said "There are about 30 small and big lakes in the university campus. These are under the responsibility of the estate office. We cleaned the lakes where the migratory birds come in October last with the permission of the authorities. It should be done in June-July."

He said the arrival of guest birds has reduced a lot this year. To create a suitable environment for birds in lakes, the number of small fish should be increased. From next year they will clean the lake and make sitting spaces for birds at the right time. 

However, wildlife ecology expert Prof Dr. Md. Kamrul Hassan of the Zoology department thinks that only the construction of high-rise buildings or the cutting of trees is not the main reason for the decrease of guest birds.

He said, "Migratory birds are usually lake-centric birds. A good lake environment is more important than having a lot of trees."

Among the lakes of JU campus, 4 lakes have more birds. These are the lake adjacent to Chowrangi More, the lake behind the old registrar building, the lake adjacent to the gymnasium and the lake adjacent to the Wildlife Rescue Centre.  Among them, only the lake adjacent to the WRC has seen birds this year. 

"The campus lakes currently do not have an ideal environment for birds. Mainly because of setting up shops around the lake, cutting down bushes, not cleaning water hyacinth properly, disturbing the birds with loud noise etc, the birds are not coming here," Prof Kamrul added.

He said In the last 3 years, the rate of migratory birds arrivals has almost halved. They usually arrive in October-November and leave in March-April. This year the birds came later.

Prof Kamrul said, "The university administration should take action now to restore the arrival of migratory birds as before. By providing security to birds, making the environment of the lakes suitable for birds to live in, increasing the number of shrubs along the lakes, the number of birds will increase again."

"On January 3, like every year, we will organize a bird fair in the university. It is mainly organized to make people aware about the conservation of birds and biodiversity. In this event, we will inform the authorities about the necessary steps to increase the arrival of migratory birds," he added.

JU Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Administration) Prof Sohel Ahmed said "Migratory birds are one of the sources of natural beauty of Jahangirnagar University. It is known as a specialty of our campus. This year the arrival of birds has reduced a lot."

Prof Sohel said host birds largely determine the area where their food is available. This year campus lakes were cleaned at the wrong time. The birds did not stay in these lakes because they did not get food.

"The arrival of migratory birds in the campus has been decreasing during last few years due to various reasons. We will form a committee with environmentalists and zoologists to determine the exact reasons for the decrease of birds. Then we will take appropriate steps to protect the beauty of this tradition and environment of the campus," he added.