Mohammad Idris:
Twelve rare and protected species of birds were rescued in a joint operation conducted in the Brahmanbaria Railway Station area on Tuesday (September 30) afternoon. The birds were rescued by members of ‘Tori Bangladesh’ and ‘Snake Rescue Team Bangladesh’. Among the rescued birds were 5 tiyas, 5 pairs of muniyas and two native shalikas. It is believed that the birds were brought to the railway station for the purpose of illegal smuggling. However, no one involved in the operation could be arrested. After the birds were rescued, they were taken to the office of the Brahmanbaria Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer. Later, the birds were released into the open sky through a short ceremony in the office premises in the presence of Brahmanbaria Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO)-Sifat Md. Ishtiaq Bhuiyan. Shamim Ahmed, convener of Tori Bangladesh, was present at the time. Among others, Sohel Rana Bhuiyan and Sushanta Pal were present and assisted in the entire matter. Also present were Snake Rescue Team Bangladesh members Tahsin Arafat Tanmoy and Md. Zubaidur Rahman Mehedi. While releasing the birds, UNO said, “Wildlife is an important part of our biodiversity. Illegally catching or selling birds or other animals is a punishable offense. We will be stricter in preventing such illegal acts with the help of the administration, environmental activists and conscious people.” Shamim Ahmed, convener of Tori Bangladesh, who participated in the rescue operation, said, “Nature is an integral part of our lives. Every bird has its own life. Seeing these birds freed from their cages and flying in the sky is a unique feeling for us. It is worth noting that according to the Wildlife (Conservation and Protection) Act, 2012 of Bangladesh, illegally keeping, selling or trafficking any wild bird is a punishable offense. A person accused of violating the law can be sentenced to a maximum of three years in prison or a fine or both.
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