Dhaka – Though the figure may sound surprising in the first instance, ornithologists say some 200 bird species still choose Dhaka city as their abode unb saff writer Faisal reported.How on earth, amid the bustling city life, the diverse avian population has been surviving? Birdwatchers feel lucky enough to have in their vicinity the little greenery Dhaka provides, though it is far below the standard level for a healthy city.
This is the point the students and faculties of Zoology Department of Jagannath University (JnU) in association with Nature Study and Conservation Club are aiming to bring forth through a two-day bird scouting initiative, titled ‘Dhaka Bird Race 2016’.
The Dhaka Bird Race 2016, the first of its kind in the country, is all set to be held on April 15-16. With a simple online registration costing only Tk 300, two-three people can form a group to join the Race.
The groups will be assigned to observe on April 15-16 the avian life in a city area of their choice and gather some simple information about common birds as well as rare birds.
After submission of the information by the groups, the organisers will sort out the winners and present souvenirs to the participants at the concluding ceremony on the JnU campus.
Dhaka South City Corporation mayor Sayeed Khokon is likely to attend the closing ceremony.
Talking to UNB, Delip K Das Bisharga, a lecturer at the Zoology Department of JnU, said the aim of their initiative is to instate among people some positive insights about the city and its bird diversity.
“About 700 bird species are sighted in Bangladesh, of which 200 can be sighted in Dhaka city alone. This is an astounding number as you know many countries in Europe are not fortunate enough to have 200 bird species,” he said.
“Besides the most common and urban birds, rare birds are also being sighted once in a while to the bird watcher’s delight. For example, Hume’s Short-toed Lark and Blue-capped Rock Thrush (Niltupi Shiladama) were sighted in the suburbs of Dhaka which was the first record for the country in the last two years,” he added.
Bisharga noted that areas like Keraniganj, Basila, Ramna Park, Chandrima Uddan, Dhaka University campus, Jatiya Sangshad Bhaban, National Botanical Garden, Sher-e-Bangla Agricultural University, National Zoo, Purbachal, Baldha Garden, Ashulia, Birulia, and Jahangirnagar University have been the providing suitable habitation to many birds.
He added that the Dhaka Bird Race 2016 is inclined to breathe a fresh air into the mind of any bird enthusiast living nearby the city as the requirement for participation is very simple – to be able to spend a weekend being a part of the adventure of sighting birds.
