Photo Story

Tampering
with the
Law of
Nature

Wild birds of all kinds play a major role in the preservation of a balanced eco-system. With the loss of a single specimen or threat to a particular species of bird, nature, no doubt, turns poorer.

Ruthless as it is confinement of lively, colourful wild birds within suffocating limits of steel and wired cages is something of a trendy habit among the affluent of the society.

Local bird species like the munia, parakeet, hill-mynah and dove pull a large number of clients each day in the pet-outlets of Dhaka, most of which are located at Katabon. Besides this pet-market, several other pet-shops and mobile vans run brisk business in and around the capital year round. Groups of floating peddlers also take their avian stocks door to door while they balance a pair of cages full of small, chirpy wild birds on their shoulders.

Despite the enforcement of a 'wildlife preservation act' by the country's government in 1974, trading in birds and other wild species is thriving, putting the existing eco-system in jeopardy. The importance of protecting nature through conservation of wild birds remains a top agenda of the local green groups. On the other hand, a large section of urban dwellers simply fail to understand the significance of wildlife conservation. While the environmentally unaware urbanites continue their buying spree, not only are the winged creatures completely being robbed of their natural freedom, but nature itself is being tampered with.

Aziz Amirul

Copyright (R) thedailystar.net 2004