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RANGPUR, April 20, 2025 (BSS) - As climate change continues to intensify, experts have warned that rising temperatures, irregular rainfall, and drying wetlands are disrupting the reproductive cycles of beneficial organisms such as insects, native birds, fish, and other animals.

They cautioned that this crisis could accelerate the extinction of these species, leading to a severe loss of biodiversity and ecological imbalance. To address the situation, experts called for urgent conservation efforts and updated policy measures to protect the environment.

Locals have also observed a sharp decline in the population of many beneficial insects, native birds, animals, flora, fauna, and freshwater fish over the past couple of decades.
 
Talking to BSS, Dr. Tuhin Wadud-environmental and river expert, director of Riverine People, and professor at Begum Rokeya University-expressed concern over the deteriorating state of nature due to climate change.

"The extinction process continues due to deforestation, drying water bodies, unsystematic use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides, changes in soil properties, and other factors," he said. 
  
Since past times, when a sufficient number of water bodies, wetlands, ponds, canals, forests, and hill sanctuaries remained intact, dozens of species of migratory birds have come to the country every year every winter. 
 
However, in recent years, the number of migratory birds has plummeted, according to Dr. Tuhin.
 
He identified encroachment of forest land and water bodies, cutting of trees, drying up and shrinking of water bodies and lack of proper management and conservation as key drivers of this decline.

Md. Mamunur Rashid, PhD Fellow in the Department of Agricultural Extension at Dinajpur Haji Mohammad Danesh University of Science and Technology, said that climate change has not only reduced food availability for beneficial species, but also hastened their extinction.

As an example, he noted, wild elephants are now increasingly leaving the forests and running to the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Sherpur and other areas in search of food. 

Arable lands are now under heavy use throughout the year to supply food for the growing population.

Agricultural researcher Md. Mamunur Rashid points out that the excessive use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides is damaging the environment and putting many helpful insects, birds, and animals at risk of disappearing.
 
Rangpur District Fisheries Officer Md. Harun-or-Rashid said that the reduction of floodplains, open water bodies, and natural breeding and grazing grounds-along with the drying up and silting of ponds, beels, rivers, and tributaries-has led to the extinction of many indigenous fish, insects, and birds.

"Re-excavating dried-up rivers, canals, beels, and ponds, along with conserving surface water and planting more trees, can help protect beneficial insects, native birds, fish, and forest animals." he added.