With the advent of winter, thousands of migratory birds have flocked to the Atrai River in Naogaon, creating a pleasant scenery for bird lovers.
Varieties of migratory birds arrived in the river's Madhuban area of Mahadevpur upazila from the chilly regions of different countries while the deafening sound of the dredger machine excavating sands from the river bed was causing disturbance for the guest birds.
As per the demand of the local people, the local administration declared the Madhuban area as a fish sanctuary and a colony of birds and stopped leasing it for sand excavation this year.
However, an influential quarter has been lifting sands through dredger machines, flouting the order of the administration.
Of late, the local administration conducted a mobile court in the area and ordered a stop to lifting sand from the river bed.
Locals said the guest birds from Siberia, Mongolia, and other regions have been visiting some three kilometers of areas including Madhuban and Kunjaban of the river for the last 10 years.
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Life and nature activists have been working to ensure safety of the migratory birds in the area.
President of Pran O Prokiti Sangathan Kazi Nazmul Haq said although the government has not leased the sand beds in Madhuban area, an influential individual named Moazzem Hazi has been continuing lifting sands from the area.
When asked, Moazzem Hazi denied the allegations and said he has been excavating sands from the region for a long time and all of a sudden the area has been declared as a colony of birds intentionally.
Asma Khatun, assistant commissioner (land) in Mahadevpur, said a mobile court was conducted in the area several days ago for lifting sands illegally.
"Then an instruction was also given to not excavate sands from the area. The individuals concerned will face action if sand is excavated again."
