Guest birds bring life to lakes but fear for humans
The birds can be carriers of H5N1 virus, that causes 'bird flu' which may be deadly to fowls and humans also.
Local authorities said they will soon start a campaigning to create awareness among people not to hunt the birds and keep their domestic birds away from mixing with the guests.
For all latest news, follow The Daily Star's Google News channel. Every winter, migratory birds flock to the 640 sq km vast Kaptai Lake and other smaller waterbodies in Rangamati, prompting their indiscriminate hunting. The hunted birds are sold openly on streets of the town and their delicious meat served in posh tourist hotels.
The district administration and the forest department have meanwhile taken various steps to stop poaching of guest bids.
"We also directed our employees to create awareness among people to keep their ducks away so that they can not go to the lake water", said Zahir Uddin Ajmad, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Chittagong Hill Tracts (South) Forest Division yesterday.
"The areas attractive to guest birds Mainee and Marishya have been kept under strong vigil by our guards", the DFO said.
The Deputy Commissioner, Police Superintendent, Civil Surgeon and high officials of the forest and livestock departments will sit this week to chalk out an elaborate plan to completely stop guest bird hunting and create awareness among people, official sources said.
"Guest birds are suspected carriers of H5N1 virus that causes 'bird flu' and we must take adequate precautionary measure", Civil Surgeon Md. Nazer told The Daily Star on Saturday.
"Though the government is concerned about it (threat of bird flu from guest birds), no particular directive come to us", he said.
"I came to know from different dailies that migratory birds are suspected carriers of the virus (H5N1) and Kaptai Lake is a major transit route for them".
Poachers hunt the birds dodging law enforcers and forest department officials every year. They sell hunted birds usually in morning and evening, sources in different areas in Rangamati town said.
Sources said cooked meat of guest birds is sold throughout the winter at hotels in Maieemukh Bazar, Marishya, Zurachhari Bazar, Zeebtoli Bazar, Kaptai Zetighat and Belaichhari Bazar.