By Md Mamun Islam
 
RANGPUR, Nov 24, 2024 (BSS) - After its re-excavation, the Bharardaho Beel, with incredible natural scenery, has now become a genuine sanctuary for migratory and extinct native birds, fish, animals and insects.
 
A huge lush green forest surrounding the bill, accompanied by the chirping of orderly flying migratory birds, has now revived the lost ecosystem creating incredible natural scenery to fascinate everyone.
 
People of all ages are visiting the water body daily to enjoy the revived ecology and breathe amidst improved environment, matchless greenery and instinctive beauty on the outskirts of Badarganj municipality in Rangpur district.
 
Barind Multipurpose Development Authority (BMDA) of the Ministry of Agriculture has re-excavated the Beel under the 'Expansion of irrigation in greater Rangpur district through best uses of surface water and conservation of rainwater (EIR) project '.
 
While talking to BSS, visitors said that they enjoy the wonderful greenery and chirping of migratory birds, their free movement in the water of the Beel and the breeze and animals and insects living there.
 
Housewife Minara Khatun, 30, of nearby Fire Service Para village, came there with her son Mirazuzzaman, 6, and nephews Kunjo Ahsan, 18, and Arian Ahsan, 11, from Gaibandha to enjoy the aesthetic beauty that attracts many visitors.
 
"The forest created on the banks of the Beel, orderly flying of migratory birds in the air, their chirping and swimming on water have created a heart-cooling divine scene," she said.
 
"My mind doesn't want to go back home after coming here," Minara said.
 
Kunjo Ahsan, also a college student, said unbelievable scenery has been created following re-excavation of the Bharardaho Beel and plantation of rare and extinct species of wood, fruit, medicinal and flower plants on its bank.

"I'm enthralled enjoying the beauty of everything available here, including the chirping guest birds, a botanical garden-like green nature and sprouting flowers," Kunjo added.
 

Couple Mohibur Rahman, 33, and Farida Rahman, 28, of Nilphamari who came to the Beel with their son Mahbub, 7, and daughter Maria, 5, to enjoy the exclusive beauty of nature.
 
"It's very difficult to take away eyes from the Bharardaho Beel with chirping of guest birds and varieties of rare species of plants on the surrounding banks with sight beholding scenes," Farida said.
 
Visiting school students Rafique, 14, Harun, 15, and Arman, 13, of different villages in Badarganj upazila said they frequently come to the Beel to enjoy the beauty of migratory and local birds, flowers and different extinct animals and insects.

Caretaker of the Beel Atiar Rahman, 45, said an incredible landscape has been created following re-excavation of the Bharardaho Beel and plantation of 3,500 trees of 213 rare and extinct species of wood, fruit, medicinal and flower plants on its bank.
 
The Beel has become a safe haven for flora, fauna, birds, fish, grasshoppers, butterflies, squirrels, bees, earthworms, chameleons, lizards, hornets, snakes, frogs, forest ants, mongoose, monitor lizard, foxes, rats, rabbits, mosquitoes, dung beetles, beetles, fireflies etc.
 
"Hundreds of people are rushing there to enjoy the unbelievable loveliness of greenery, chirping guest birds and sprouting flowers," Rahman said.

Director of the Riverine People and Professor of Begum Rokeya University Dr Tuhin Wadud said re-excavation of the Bharardaho Beel has turned it into a sanctuary for local species of extinct flora, fauna, fishes, local and migratory birds, insects and animals.

"The Beel continues reviving ecosystems at a time when drying-up of water bodies is threatening the existence of indigenous birds, small fishes, insects, small snails, algae, moss, aquatic plants and other stem-less watery plants and some animals," he said.

He suggested the authorities concerned not lease the Beel to any private body and turn it into an Eco-Park cum botanical garden to ensure complete safety for all plants and living beings there to further improve ecosystems," he said.

He feared the growing attractiveness of the re-excavated Bharardaho Beel might be disturbed if the water body is leased to local greedy people in the name of pisciculture or establishing a tourist spot there.
 
EIR Project Director and BMDA Superintending Engineer for Rangpur Circle Md Habibur Rahman Khan said people are enjoying spectacular beauty of the re-excavated Bharardaho Beel with greenery, chirping guest birds and their mannerly flying.

"The project (2019-2025) aims at promoting agriculture and livelihoods making best use of conserved surface water, forestation and revive ecosystems and sanctuaries for indigenous species of extinct fishes, native birds, insects and animals," he said.