Waterfowl numbers in Hakaluki Haor, one of Asia’s largest wetlands, rose this winter as hunting and poisoning incidents declined, according to a recent census conducted by bird experts.
A team of 12 researchers led by bird expert and Bangladesh Bird Club Founder Enam Ul Haque counted birds on February 4–5 across 43 beels in the haor, a vast wetland system spanning parts of Sylhet and Moulvibazar districts.
The survey, organised by the Bangladesh Bird Club and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) with support from the Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Department, recorded 54,486 waterfowl belonging to 53 species.
Among them were 18 resident species and 35 migratory ones.
Last year’s census recorded 35,268 birds from 60 species in the same wetland, indicating a significant rise in the total population this year despite a drop in species count.
Sarwar Alam Dipu Bangladesh Bird Club General Secretary said environmental conditions in several beels — including Chinawra and Haorkhal — were comparatively favourable this season, with higher water levels.
He said the improved habitat likely attracted larger numbers of birds.
In contrast, water levels dropped in some surrounding wetlands, which may have prompted birds to gather in those specific beels.
The latest survey also found fewer signs of illegal hunting methods that previously threatened bird populations in the area.
Last year, researchers discovered a banned electric current net nearly 100 metres long in the Nagua–Loribai beel that had been set to trap birds.
Two dead Temminck’s stints were recovered from the net before members of the census team burned and destroyed it.
In another instance during last year’s survey, researchers found a packet of the pesticide Carbofuran near Pingla beel.
The chemical had reportedly been mixed with rice and scattered around the wetland so birds would eat it and die.
No similar incidents were reported during this year’s census.
Sarwar Alam Dipu attributed the improvement to increased awareness among local communities and stronger monitoring by authorities.
The survey also recorded the presence of several rare or unusual species.
According to the Bangladesh Bird Club, a white-fronted goose — a species rarely seen in Bangladesh — was observed once in the haor during the census period.
Experts say the bird typically appears in the country only once every 10 to 12 years.
The survey also documented 194 geese in the wetland, a figure researchers described as unusually high for Bangladesh.
Several coastal bird species were also present in notable numbers this season.
These included lalpa, gulinda and jaurali birds, which are typically seen along coastal habitats.
Among them, about 3,500 jaurali birds were counted during the survey.
Hakaluki Haor covers approximately 28,000 hectares and consists of around 238 large and small beels.
The wetland stretches across Kulaura, Juri and Barlekha upazilas of Moulvibazar district and Fenchuganj and Golapganj upazilas of Sylhet district.
Recognising its ecological importance, the government declared the area an Ecologically Critical Area in 1999.
Enam Ul Haque said migratory bird populations have been declining across South and Southeast Asia over the past few decades.
He said shrinking habitats and rising global temperatures are among the key drivers of that decline.
“During winter, migratory birds come to Bangladesh from different countries in search of food. Wetlands like Hakaluki Haor serve as important shelters for them. Therefore, effective measures are needed to protect the environment of the haor and the habitats of these birds,” he said.
Local authorities say protecting the wetland will require long-term planning and stronger environmental management.
Kulaura Upazila Nirbahi Officer Md Mohiuddin said the administration is monitoring the haor to prevent environmental damage.
He said pesticide use around the wetland needs to be controlled to protect fish resources and other wildlife.
The agriculture department will also be instructed to encourage farmers to adopt natural alternatives instead of chemical pesticides, he added.
