Silent Wetlands, Empty Skies: Bird Census Flags Alarming Ecological Decline in South Dinajpur

January 12,2026

Fading Wings: South Dinajpur Bird Survey Highlights Alarming Drop in Migratory Arrivals

Kamal Kumar Biswas Senior Correspondent 

A recent bird census has raised serious concerns about environmental degradation in South Dinajpur, revealing a sharp and unsettling decline in bird populations across the district’s wetlands, ponds, rivers, and water bodies.The three-day survey, which began on Saturday and will continue until Tuesday, is being conducted jointly by bird lovers and environmental organizations with the support of the Forest Department. Its objective is to assess the current status of avian life in the region’s aquatic ecosystems.

Preliminary findings from the survey have alarmed conservationists. According to participants, while nearly 150,000 birds were recorded in the district during the same period last year, this year’s count has dropped dramatically to approximately 31,500. The steep decline points to a continuing and dangerous trend that reflects a deeper ecological crisis.Environmental experts attribute this situation to a combination of human-induced and natural factors. Climate change has altered migratory patterns and habitats, while excessive use of harmful chemicals in fish farming has degraded water quality and damaged aquatic ecosystems. Illegal bird hunting using nets—particularly during winter, when migratory birds arrive—has further intensified the threat to avian survival.

Although the survey has recorded the presence of a few bird species, the once-familiar winter spectacle of large flocks gathering along rivers and wetlands has become increasingly rare. The changing landscape now tells a story of silence, as vibrant water bodies that once echoed with bird calls grow quieter each year.

Expressing concern, environmentalist and bird expert Biswajit Basak said, “The rapid decline in bird numbers is extremely alarming. If strict conservation measures are not implemented immediately, the situation could become far more severe in the coming years.”

 

Experts have emphasized the urgent need for stronger surveillance to curb bird hunting, tighter regulation on the use of toxic chemicals, and robust efforts to protect and restore natural habitats. Raising public awareness, they say, remains a crucial step in addressing the growing environmental crisis underscored by this survey.