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RAJSHAHI: World Migratory Bird Day was observed in Rajshahi today through a joint initiative of the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Forum and Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA), aiming to raise public awareness about bird conservation and the protection of their habitats.
As part of the observance, a discussion meeting was held at Rajshahi Adhunik Pathagar, adjacent to Padma Garden. The discussion focused on the importance of migratory birds, ensuring safe migration, preventing bird hunting and trafficking, and encouraging public participation in biodiversity conservation.
Engineer Junaid Ahmed, founder and general secretary of the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Forum, presided over the meeting.
Among those present were Jamat Khan, general secretary of Rajshahi Rokkha Sangram Parishad; Selina Begum, general secretary of the BAPA Rajshahi District Committee; and Mizanur Rahman, vice-president of the Bangladesh Biodiversity Conservation Federation.
Prof Dr B K Dam, president of the Nature and Biodiversity Conservation Forum; Shamsuzzoha Sarkar, general secretary of Dustha Manab Kallayan Sangstha; and Rahima Begum and Yusuf Ali Chowdhury, president and general secretary of the BAPA Paba Upazila Branch, respectively, also spoke at the event.
The speakers highlighted the vital role birds play in maintaining ecological balance and protecting biodiversity. They said birds help sustain food chains and food webs, control rats and harmful insects, support agricultural production and contribute to flower pollination.
They also described birds as important biological indicators of environmental health. In addition to their ecological contributions, they said, birds enhance the beauty of nature and bring joy to visitors.
Emphasising that birds are an integral part of the natural environment, the speakers called on people to consider their conservation a collective moral responsibility.
They urged the public to build social resistance against bird hunting and take effective measures to protect migratory birds and their habitats.
Following the discussion, awareness leaflets were distributed along the Padma riverbank to encourage greater public participation in migratory bird conservation.
