A group of hunters are hunting doves with doves in Paikgachha. Most people like the call of doves. These birds are quite beautiful to look at. However, people are becoming cruel in committing crimes like hunting these beautiful birds.
The activity of dove hunters with doves has increased in various areas including Paikgachha on the coast. Recently, both doves and dove traps have been found near hunters in various villages of Kapilmuni and Gadaipur unions of Paikgachha upazila.
The trap and method of catching doves are quite innovative. Live doves are kept inside a bamboo cage with food. The cage is covered with nets and vines so that it cannot be seen easily. Where doves are most common or have a habitat, a cage is placed with long bamboo poles attached to it after observing the movement of birds in the rice or vegetable fields adjacent to bamboo bushes and tall trees. The hunter observes the cage from a safe distance. The doves trapped in the cage start calling. Birds roaming around the area are attracted by that call and come to the cage for food or to liberate or to see the captive doves. When it goes close of the cage the legs or beaks are extended into the cage, the doves get caught in the net. The hunter rushes from a distance and lowers the trap and catches the doves.
Sanu (60), a farmer from Srirampur village of Kapilmuni Union, is seen going to catch doves with a caged pigeon in the early morning of winter. He will set a trap to catch doves in the rice and vegetable fields near bamboo bushes and tall trees.
When asked where he was going with the caged dove, he said, "I catch doves with these caged doves. I catch birds like this as a hobby, cook them and eat them." When told that hunting birds is a crime, he said, "I have heard that birds benefit the environment. However, I sometimes catch birds as a hobby." He promised not to hunt birds again.
Journalist and columnist Prakash Ghosh Bidhan, president of the upazila's environmental organization Ban Bibi, said that hunting, killing, raising, buying and selling all wild animals including birds is a punishable offense according to the Wild Animals (Conservation and Protection) Act, 2012.
Upazila Nirbahi Officer Mahera Nazneen said on this subject that birds are of immense importance in maintaining the balance of the environment. Birds not only enhance the beauty of nature, but also maintain the balance of the environment. They benefit farmers by eating insects. The upazila administration is always active in stopping bird hunting. Strict action will be taken against those who hunt birds. He called on the aware locals to cooperate by providing information to stop bird hunting.
ZH
