Every morning, the quiet of West Dangapara village in Domar Upazila is broken by the calls of hundreds of birds. The century-old bamboo grove that shelters them has turned the village into a local attraction, drawing visitors from far and wide.
Known locally as the ‘bird village’, West Dangapara has been home to various species, including egrets, magpies, mynas and doves, for more than 100 years. The birds use a bamboo grove spread over around 20 decimals of land as their safe shelter.
Located around 44 kilometres from Nilphamari district town, the village can be reached after travelling nearly three kilometres through a winding road from Chilahati.
The bamboo grove is owned by three brothers — Rafiqul Islam, Majidul Islam and Aminul Islam. They said birds had been coming to the grove since their grandfather’s time, and the number of birds gradually increased as the bamboo plantation grew.
“Bird numbers were higher in the past, but they still gather here in large numbers every morning and evening,” said Rafiqul Islam.
He said their family had been protecting the bamboo grove for years to keep it safe for birds. With government support, the area could be preserved and developed further.
The place has attracted bird lovers and visitors, who come to take photographs, record videos and enjoy the natural surroundings.
A visitor said seeing such a large bird population inside a residential area was remarkable and the place could become an attractive destination if preserved properly.
However, visitors and locals have raised concerns over cleanliness. Bird droppings accumulate under the bamboo grove, and without regular maintenance, there are risks of bad odour and unhygienic conditions.
They urged authorities to ensure proper waste management and conservation measures without disturbing the birds’ natural habitat.
Domar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shayla Saeed Tonny said the site was important as birds had been using it as a shelter for more than a century.
She said the administration would take necessary steps to explore ways to preserve the bird habitat with support from local residents.
The bamboo grove has transformed West Dangapara’s identity, making it more than just a village. With proper conservation, the century-old bird habitat could become an important natural attraction in the northern region.
