The Bangladesh government on Wednesday declared two ecologically significant wetlands in Rajshahi district as ‘Wetland-Dependent Wildlife Sanctuaries’ for the first time.
The sanctuaries are 1.65-acre wetland in Biljowana mauza under Tanore upazila, and 15.08-acre wetland in Bilbala mauza under Godagari upazila.
In this regard, two separate gazette notifications were issued on the day by the forest wing-2 under the environment, forest and climate change ministry.
These wetlands serve as important winter habitats for both native and migratory birds, the release said, adding that a total of over 100 bird species inhabit these wetlands, alongside amphibians, reptiles, and mammals.
Species commonly found in these wetlands include native waterfowls such as Kalem, Kora, Dahuk, Gurguri, Jalpipi, and Jalmojur and different migratory ducks such as the Common Teal, Lesser Whistling Duck, Northern Pintail, Piyang Duck, Khunte Duck, and Gadwall.
Increasing human activities and population pressure have placed these wetland ecosystems and their biodiversity under threat, the release said.
‘With the new designation as wildlife sanctuaries, these areas will now provide safe habitats to birds and other wildlife,’ it said, adding, ‘Additionally, they will serve as important sites for education, research, and ecotourism, particularly for students, researchers, and nature enthusiasts.’
This declaration has been made under the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act 2012, the release added.
