A new, multimillion-euro international airport near Albania's coastal city of Vlora will mean hundreds of jobs for area residents. But environmentalists warn it could cause irreparable damage to the fragile ecosystems of protected lagoons that host flamingos, pelicans and millions of other migratory birds. Albania's new, 104 million-euro ($125 million) international airport — the country's third — is currently being constructed at the Narta lagoon some 10 kilometers (6 miles) north of the city of Vlora. Set to start operations in 2025, the airport will boast a 3.2-kilometer (2-mile) runway and is expected to handle up to 2 million passengers a year. That's good news for Adriatik Sela, a resident of Akerni village. The unemployed man hopes that “if there is business here, I could sell a cigarette package, or a coffee, or work as a guard.” He and others among the village's 1,000-strong population see the airport as an opportunity for a better life. Heavy earth-moving vehicles and workers from Swiss company Mabco Constructions are currently busy building the runway as well as a road linking the airport to a nearby highway. But Aleksander Trajce from the Protection and Preservation of Natural Environment in Albania, (PPNEA) says the airport poses a grave threat to the Narta lagoon and the Karavasta lagoon farther north and environmentalists have launched a court battle to stop its construction. Millions of migratory birds use the lagoons as a rest stop as part of the Adriatic flyway, a route the birds use to travel from central and northern Europe to Africa. Up to 3,000 flamingos and pelicans visit the lagoons each year. “Building such infrastructure right in the middle of this route would mean incredible damage to the bird populations for which this region is famous and on which it flourishes,” Trajce said. Niko Dumani, from the non-governmental group Natural Environment Preservation and Protection Vlora, accuses the government of changing a pre-approved plan delineating a protected zone to incorporate a part of the lagoon into the airport's construction plans. “It is strange how development policies change from promoting tourism to promoting other industries, like air transport, exploiting a habitat which is so important for tourism, like the lagoon,” he said. Annette Spangenberg, from the German-based conservation group EuroNatur, said the Narta lagoon is part of an ecological network of conservation areas aiming at the long-term survival of bird species and their habitats. “If you build the airport within this area, it’s going to harm the integrity of your river ecosystem. It is like cutting off the leg of the Vjosa River,” she said. The Ministry of Tourism and Environment says it has consulted with locals and with experts. The new airport will generate at least 1,500 jobs. The ministry told the Associated Press in an email that the site was selected “as the most favorable alternative" for the airport because a military airstrip had started to be built there in the 1920s. But a European Union progress report on Albania last year noted that work on the airport started in December 2021 “in contradiction with national laws and international biodiversity protection conventions that have already been ratified.” Environmentalists also fear birds could threaten flight safety. In its most recent meeting in December last year, the Standing Committee to the Bern Convention called on the Albanian government to “suspend the construction of the airport due to its apparent lack of adherence to national and international laws.” The ministry said “a series of protective steps will be applied.” The residents of Akerni are unconcerned. Sela wants the airport to start operating as quickly as possible “to help all people in southern Albania take flights from here and, for sure, that will bring good luck to our lives.”

As the winter sets in Ramrai Ranisagar lake in this northern district wears a festive look with the arrival of chirping birds and thousands of visitors to watch them play in the water.   This year also the famed lake, largest in the area, has come alive with hundreds of migratory birds flocking on it from far away to escape freezing cold in Serbia and surrounding areas. Also known as Rani Sagar the lake is famous for its natural beauty. The arrival of the colourful birds accentuates its charm attracting tourists from all across Bangladesh. Also read: Migratory birds battle poachers in Khulna During the day the birds frolic in the lake’s water and when the sun sets they take shelter in the litchi orchard around the water body. Located four km from the Ranisankail upazila headquarters the lake has been one of the country’s sanctuaries for winter birds who love to spend some time in relatively warm weather in Bangladesh. Unfortunately, these guest birds do not often get the hospitality they deserve. Read Visit Baikka Beel, Hail Haor, Sreemangal: Buoyant art of nature in a paradise of birds At this lake in particular the pollution in the water has become a hazard for the birds.

Although the poaching of birds is a punishable act, it is going on unabated in Bagerhat under the noses of the local administration . Hunters and poachers are using an array of new methods to trap different species of birds including dahak(white-breasted waterhen), Bok(herons),  kora(Watercock), jalpipi(Bronze-winged jacana), buck, maasranga(Kingfisher) and so on in the wetlands and forests of the district. Read:Migratory birds battle poachers in Khulna -

Over the past decade, the hamlet of Kunjaban in Naogaon's Mahadebpur upazila has emerged as a popular winter holiday destination for bird watchers in Bangladesh.

A cycle rally was held in Magura's Mohammadpur upazila on Friday to raise awareness among people to stop hunting of migratory birds in winter.

People of Faridpur’s Bhanga wake up to the chirping of guest birds during this time of the year.

As the mercury has started falling fast, sightings at the Islamic University Lake in Kushtia have become greatly enjoyable with the chirps of migratory birds!

Although the poaching of migratory birds is a punishable act, it is going on unabated here under the nose of the local administration and police.   It is even alleged that police take money from bird hunters and traders to allow their illegal act.   Migratory birds visit Bangladesh from the remotest corners of the world such as Siberia, Mongolia and the Tibetan plateau during the winter and live mostly in haor and beel areas considering the country their safe place.   But, a large number of guest birds are being caught every year by some unscrupulous people and sold.   A big bird is sold at Tk 300 in the district while the price of a small one is Tk 150. There is no scope for any bargaining as the demand for the migratory birds is so high. Even, customers are making advance payment for the birds.   Bird hunters and sellers claimed that police collect money from them on a monthly basis.   Anup Das, a bird hunter of Aranghata, said all the bird poachers have to give money to the police.   He said they normally hunt birds from beels at night undercover of dark using traps and hand those over to traders in the early morning.   Kudrat-e-Khuda, general secretary of the district chapter of Sushasoner Jonno Nagorik (Shujan), said the local administration needs to take strict action to stop the bird hunting.   He said local representatives should raise awareness among people against bird hunting.   Madinul Ahsan, a divisional officer of Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Department, Khulna, said migratory birds usually roam in the beels of Terokhada, Dumuria and Sapahar in the district.   He said they conduct drives against bird poachers regularly. “We remain alert this time, too. No bird hunter will be spared.”   Helal Hossain, deputy commissioner of Khulna, said they conduct drives regularly. “If anyone is caught with birds, he or she will be punished by mobile court.”