Bagerhat Correspondent :Weaverbirds locally known as Babui Pakhi (birds) and their most artistic and attractive nests made on the top of palmary trees are gradually disappearing from the country due to indiscriminate cutting of trees, deforestation activities and various hostile attitudes of the nature and of the people. The high raised palmary trees are not easily found abundantly hither and thither in the rural Bangla and consequently, the traditional Babui birds which have been living in the country from the time immemorial are also not found easily and abundantly in the rural Bangla like the past, though there is a verse in a Bengali poem ‘Talgas’ composed by poet Rqbindra Nath Tagore, ‘Talgas Ekpaaye Daarye Sab Gas Chaarye (Palmary tree stands on a foot and raises its head above all other trees)’. It is learnt from the reliable sources that once upon a time Babui birds are caught and exported to Europe, America and other foreign countries at high price. Not only that but also their most artistic and attractive nests were exported to the foreign countries as show pieces at high price. The nests of the Babui birds are still exported to the foreign countries as obsolete and archaic articles. It is also learnt from the sources that long and high raised palmary trees are being cut down by the people indiscriminately for the use them as fuel wood and for the construction of houses and other purposes. As result, the Babui birds at present find no high raised palmary trees on which they can make their nests. On the other hand, Babui birds are migrating from here to other countries including India in order to get relief from the hands of the hunters and various harassments and atrocities. It is also learnt from the various sources that there is no sufficient food for them in the localities. For all those reasons Babui birds are vanishing gradually from the country and consequently, they (Babui birds) are at present hardly noticed in our Rural Bamgla. But at present Babui birds are found abundantly at Heron point tourism spot of Sundarban forest, situated on the bank of the Bay of Bengal, Whenever any tourist goes to Mongla Port rest house at Heron point by the side of Bangladesh Naval office he finds hundred of beautiful nests of Babui birds hanging with each and every leaf of the palmary trees. It is learnt from a source that hunting of birds is a punishable offence there and it is strictly observed there.. So, a sanctuary of birds was developed there. It is also learnt from the locals that nests of Babui birds are not exported from here to any foreign country.
