Munshiganj (South) Correspondent

President of BIRD Bangladesh and bird specialist Sajahan Sardar has said that bird habitats are being increasingly destroyed due to both natural and human-induced causes.

  “We previously believed there were around 650 species of birds in the world but recent research on birds and nature has revealed that there are over 700 species globally. But their numbers are gradually declining,” he said.

 He made these remarks to reporters on Saturday afternoon after the conclusion of the 2nd National Birdwatchers' Conference organized by BIRD Bangladesh at Nishorgo Angan in the Sardar Para area of Munshiganj town.

He further added that the number of bird species is also decreasing over time. “Birds we used to see 30–40 years ago are no longer visible. Meanwhile, we are seeing new birds that we hadn’t seen before. Due to shrinking and changing habitats, bird populations are steadily declining. Rural bushes and jungles are vanishing. The largest habitat for native birds in our country is the rural thickets and wetlands. Urban habitats for birds are being completely destroyed. As a result, the world of birds is getting smaller,” he explained.Earlier, the National Birdwatchers' Conference was inaugurated at the conference hall of Nishorgo Angan in Sardar Para, Munshiganj by former Chief Conservator of Forests,  Ishtiaq Ahmed. Among the special guests were Deputy Commissioner Fatema Tuj Zohra Jannat, Superintendent of Police Samsul Alam Sarkar, and Conservator of Forests for the Chattogram Circle, Dr. Molla Rezaul Karim. The conference featured various activities from the morning, with participants coming from different parts of the country representing various organizations. Students from several departments of Munshiganj Government Haraganga College also took part and shared their opinions at the event. The National Birdwatchers’ Conference concluded with a birdwatching session and a boat trip to observe native and migratory birds along the river.