United News of Bangladesh

With winter already underway, Beanibazar in Sylhet is witnessing an alarming disappearance of migratory birds.  Once a vibrant winter habitat, the region’s wetlands, including the Muria Haor and several small and large beels, are now largely devoid of the seasonal visitors. Local residents said that despite the seasonal chill, migratory birds have almost vanished this year.  Waterbodies, reservoirs, canals and rivers in the upazila no longer echo with their familiar calls. Read more: Decline in guest birds at Jahangirnagar University: A growing concern for biodiversity Even a decade ago, various wetlands, rivers, creeks and canals across Beanibazar teemed with numerous species of migratory birds as soon as winter approached.  But with forest areas shrinking and natural habitats deteriorating, the birds appear to have changed their routes. In recent years, the upazila has seen widespread deforestation.  Concrete expansion has replaced greenery, while the use of pesticides and grass-killing chemicals in farmlands has made natural grasslands scarce.  As a result, experts said,  ecological diversity is declining and bird populations are steadily reducing. Locals say that bird calls no longer wake up villagers as they once did.  They said chirping in homestead yards, the fluttering on tree branches, and the lively movement of native species such as doyel, parrots, doves, crows and cuckoos have largely faded. Read more: Vanishing winged visitors: Beanibazar sees sharp decline in migratory birds Previously, they said, migratory birds would arrive in Muria Haor and other wetlands with the onset of winter.  As water receded towards the end of Ashwin, large flocks—along with native egrets—descended to feed on small fish like puti. The birds stayed through January and February before returning to their native habitats in spring.  This year, however, even familiar sanctuaries show no sign of their presence, with the arrival rate dropping sharply. Local observers said that extensive damage to natural environments—often in the name of modernisation—has severely affected biodiversity in the area. Members of the local civil society also point to bird hunting as a major factor.  Despite legal restrictions, they said, indiscriminate hunting continues in several parts of the upazila.  Witnesses said hunters often apply toxic chemicals in paddy fields to incapacitate birds, alongside setting traps and nets that easily capture them. Beanibazar Upazila Livestock Officer Dr Md Mobin Hai said rapid urbanisation, deforestation, climate change, environmental pollution, unrestricted tree-felling and excessive pesticide use are among the main reasons behind the declining bird population.  Read more: Large influx of migratory birds enhances scenic charm of Ramrai Dighi in Thakurgaon He said the destruction of habitats and food sources, unregulated hunting, lack of enforcement and poor conservation efforts have compounded the problem. Upazila Livestock Extension Officer Dr Shamim Hossain said indiscriminate clearing of forests and bushes is reducing the birds’ natural habitats, resulting in a decline in their movement and diversity.  “We have conducted several drives to stop bird hunting. But hunters usually get advance warning, making it very difficult to catch them," he said.  Beanibazar Upazila Nirbahi Officer Golam Mustafa Munna said migratory birds no longer find sufficient food in the region.  He added that climate change is also a significant factor in the declining number of birds arriving in the area. As winter deepens, residents fear Bianibazar’s once vibrant wetlands may continue to fall silent unless stronger conservation measures are taken. Read more: Migratory birds under threat in Kushtia’s Padma Char

Residents across Sylhet City Corporation (SCC) are struggling with an unrelenting mosquito infestation, facing bites day and night with little respite even inside their homes. The worsening situation has reignited concerns over a potential spike in dengue cases during the winter months. Despite SCC spending crores of taka every year on mosquito-control programmes, residents say the efforts have produced no visible improvement, prompting serious questions about the effectiveness of the city authority. According to SCC data, Tk 2.26 crore was allocated for mosquito eradication in the fiscal year 2025–26 — the same amount spent in the previous fiscal year. Read more: Naogaon residents battle dengue surge as urban services falter The funds were used to purchase 4,000 litres of larvicide (Temephos 50 EC) and 25,000 litres of adulticide (Malathion 57 EC) from the Bangladesh Machine Tools Factory. Yet residents insist the services remain grossly inadequate. Many complain that fogging machines appear on the streets only occasionally — sometimes just once or twice a year — leaving several neighbourhoods completely untouched.  The organisation does not have a permanent mosquito-control workforce and instead relies on daily wage earners hired seasonally.  While officials maintain that 30–40 workers are deployed regularly, citizens argue that the efforts make little difference. As the mosquito menace intensifies, dengue infections are also creeping up in Sylhet.  Two people have died of dengue this year, and new cases are being reported every day.  Although SCC claims most of the infected patients are from outside the city, anxiety among residents is rising. Young adults hit hard as Bangladesh logs 593 dengue cases, 3 deaths At the Central Shaheed Minar area, college student Sumon Shawon said even standing outdoors in the evening has become unbearable. “We came here for a chat but within minutes the mosquitoes swarmed us. It’s impossible to sit or talk,” he said, calling for urgent larvicide treatment of drains and stagnant water. Read more: Bangladesh sees October as worst month for dengue deaths Apu, a resident of ward No-17, echoed the frustration, saying the situation is fuelling widespread fear. “There’s fever and cold everywhere. We can’t even tell which is dengue and which is normal flu. Mosquito bites are leaving rashes and allergies, causing more illness,” he said. SCC’s Chief Health Officer, Dr Md Zahidul Islam, admitted the crisis in manpower.  He said around 45 mosquito-control workers and seven supervisors are engaged daily, but the number falls far short of requirements. Ideally, each ward should have four to five workers and a supervisor.  With 42 wards under its jurisdiction, SCC would need more than 200 staff — a capacity the organisation cannot afford due to financial constraints. He said although SCC has recommended permanent recruitment since 2021, various complications have stalled progress. Dr Zahidul pointed out that instead of the monthly insecticide treatments recommended for effective control, the city manages to spray only two to three times a year, resulting in minimal, short-lived benefits. Emphasising the role of public awareness, he said complete mosquito control is impossible without active citizen participation. “If people cooperate, even one or two planned operations a year would be enough. Otherwise, the large amount spent on insecticides will simply go to waste,” he warned. As of 4 December this year, Bangladesh has recorded 394 deaths from dengue nationwide.  During the same period, the Directorate General of Health Services (DGHS) registered 96,627 dengue-affected cases. Read more: Barguna battles relentless dengue surge even in winter

Rail communication between Sylhet and the rest of the country resumed four hours after a wagon of an oil-laden freight train derailed in Mallikpur area of Fenchuganj upazila on Saturday night (November 29). According to railway officials, a wagon of freight train No. 952 went off the tracks around 9:30pm, snapping Sylhet’s rail links with Dhaka and Chattogram. A relief train from Kulaura reached the spot and managed to salvage the derailed oil wagon. Read more: Sylhet Osmani Int’l Airport expansion project rises by Tk 470 crore  Following the rescue operation, two Dhaka- and Chattogram-bound trains departed the station around 12:30am, Railway Police Station Sylhet Officer-in-Charge Md Abdul Quddus said. Railway sources said the special tank train had arrived in Sylhet from Chattogram early Saturday to unload oil and was returning to Chattogram when the incident occurred. As it reached Mallikpur around 9:30pm, the wheels of one of its wagons slipped off the tracks, leading to the disruption. Read more: Dream project derails; Khulna-Mongla railway struggles without freight flow

Once famed for its vibrant water lilies, Lal Shapla Beel in Sylhet's Jaintapur upazila now struggles under invasive water hyacinth, leaving locals and nature lovers frustrated with the committee entrusted to safeguard it. Formed by the upazila administration, the Red Lily Protection Committee has come under fire as residents witness the gradual disappearance of the iconic red lilies that once painted the Dibir Haor region in breathtaking shades of ruby. The region, comprising Yam, Harafkata, Dibi and Kendri beels, together creates the naturally sculpted Lal Shapla Beel, sprawling over approximately 900 acres. The wetland first captured national attention in 2016, drawing tourists both domestic and foreign, enchanted by the dazzling spectacle of red lilies swaying over its serene waters. Read more: Commute woes for Rangamati HSC examinees as Kaptai Lake clogged with water hyacinth Today, however, large swathes of Yam Beel, a prominent section of Lal Shapla Beel, are smothered by the relentless advance of water hyacinth, prompting fears that the ‘Red Lily Beel’ may soon be forgotten, replaced by a sea of invasive greenery. The committee was supposed to identify problems and work with the administration to preserve the red lilies and control aquatic plants, lamented several local residents and nature lovers, speaking on condition of anonymity. Instead of red lilies, they said, hyacinth flowers are now blooming, ruining the beauty of the wetland. Locals have proposed a pragmatic measure to fund the beel’s upkeep: levying a Tk 100 fee on tourist boats, which could be used to finance regular cleaning drives and maintenance efforts to remove the invasive plants. Read more: How to Visit Saint Martin’s Island in Tourist Season 2025-26 They also urged the authorities to undertake an immediate environmental survey, warning that inaction may transform the beloved Lal Shapla Beel into a cautionary tale of neglect. When approached for comment, Jaintapur Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) George Mitra Chakma acknowledged the issue, noting that he had not received prior reports. “We will take initiatives to remove the water hyacinth and protect the red lilies after discussing the matter with the conservation authorities,” he assured. As the waters of Lal Shapla Beel shimmer under the fading light, the fate of its crimson jewels hangs precariously, locals said. Read more: Rema–Kalenga Wildlife Sanctuary in Habiganj: A Comprehensive Travel Guide They said without swift action, one of Sylhet’s natural treasures risks being lost beneath a blanket of green, its fiery blooms reduced to memory.

The expansion of Sylhet Osmani International Airport has ecome costlier by Tk 470.87 crore as project delays and major design revisions push up expenses and extend the completion deadline by two more years. Officials said the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council (ECNEC) recently approved the first revision of the Expansion of Sylhet Osmani International Airport (Phase-I) project, raising its total cost to Tk 2,780.66 crore from the original Tk 2,309.79 crore, an increase of about 20.39 percent. Under the revised plan, the project  implemented by the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB) under the Ministry of Civil Aviation and Tourism  will now continue until December 2027 instead of December 2025. Of the total cost, the government will provide Tk 2,718.54 crore while CAAB will contribute Tk 62.12 crore from its own funds. Fraud posing as customs officer arrested at Dhaka Airport The project is designed to expand facilities at the country’s third-largest international airport in response to a rapid rise in passenger and cargo movement. Officials said the cost hike is largely attributed to an expansion of the terminal building area by 3,646 square metres along with additional land development and civil construction work, which together added Tk 485 crore to the total estimate. The project aims to build a modern international passenger terminal, a cargo complex, a new control tower, taxiways, parking aprons, and drainage and utility infrastructure to accommodate rising air traffic. As of June 2025, the project’s financial progress stands at 14.49 percent (Tk 334.60 crore) while physical progress has reached 22.9 percent. The Planning Commission  approved the revised proposal noting that the project’s master plan and design have already been modified to meet operational requirements. The Commission further emphasised that completing associated infrastructure such as drainage and utility systems is essential for ensuring the airport’s readiness for expanded international operations. Sylhet Osmani International Airport serves a large expatriate community particularly from the UK, USA, Europe, and the Middle East. With industrial growth in the Sylhet region and increasing cargo demand, officials believe the expansion will significantly boost both passenger and freight capacity, positioning the airport as a modern regional hub for international aviation. Biman flight cancelled as boarding bridge hits engine at Sylhet airport Osmani International Airport, located about 15 kilometers northeast of Sylhet city, was originally built between 1944 and 1945 during the Second World War to monitor Japanese advances from Burma. Initially known as Sylhet Civil Airport, it primarily served domestic flights operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines from Dhaka’s Shahjalal International Airport. The airport was later renamed Osmani International Airport in honor of General M. A. G. Osmani, the Commander-in-Chief of the Liberation Forces during the Liberation War. In 1986, the airport was upgraded to a fully functional domestic airport with the construction of a terminal building, installation of navigational aids, and reconstruction of the runway, taxiways, and aprons. A limited expansion in 1998 enabled the operation of medium-sized aircraft such as the Airbus A310. In 2002, the airport was designated as an international airport and received its first international flight operated by Biman Bangladesh Airlines. However, due to a shortage of modern equipment, it initially fell short of international standards. Runway lighting and other essential facilities were added in 2004, allowing safe night operations. Following the South Asia Transport and Trade Facilitation Conference in 2006, work began to upgrade terminal facilities to handle international operations. A new terminal building, two jet bridges, and a taxiway were constructed, enabling Biman to operate Hajj flights directly from Sylhet in 2007. In 2015, Fly Dubai became the first foreign airline to operate flights from Sylhet to Dubai, though the service was briefly suspended and later resumed in 2016. Now Osmani International Airport serves both domestic and international passengers and cargo, connecting Sylhet with major destinations at home and abroad through national and international carriers. Read more: Bangladesh's travellers take to the skies to escape traffic chaos

A Sylhet court issued a show-cause notice to Deputy Commissioner (DC) Md Sarwoer Alam over his alleged role in the dismissal of teachers at an English-medium institution in the city. On Thursday, the court of Senior Assistant Judge in Sylhet passed the order, asking the DC to submit written explanations within 15 working days. According to court sources, two teachers and the vice-principal of Sylhet Khajanchibari International School and College (SKISC) were recently dismissed. Challenging the legality of the decision, senior teacher Abeda Haque filed a petition to the court. The petition alleged that the teachers’ dismissal was carried out unlawfully by exerting administrative influence. Ex-BNP leader held in Sylhet stone looting case After reviewing the petition, the court noted that the DC’s role appeared questionable, with initial signs of violating earlier court directives, and ordered him to explain why legal action should not be taken against him. On Sunday evening, DC Sarwoer told the media, “We have not yet received any notice from the court. Once we get it, we will respond accordingly.” Advocate Irshadul Haque, who is representing the petitioner, said in the interest of justice, the court issued the show-cause notice to the Deputy Commissioner. “We expect the matter will be resolved through a proper investigation and judicial process,” he added.

A former president of Companiganj upazila unit of the BNP, who had been suspended from the party over his alleged involvement in the ‘Sada Pathor’ looting incident, was arrested in Sylhet city on Saturday night. The arrestee was identified as Sahab Uddin, former president of the Companiganj BNP. According to a media release issued by the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab)-9, Sahab Uddin is one of the prime accused in the looting of stones from the Sada Pathor area in Companiganj and Gowainghat upazilas earlier this year. Teacher arrested after two madrasa students beaten, case filed A case was filed against him with Companiganj Police Station on 15 August. Acting on a tip-off, a Rab-9 team conducted a drive in the city’s Kumarpara area around 11:00pm and arrested him. He was later handed over to Kotwali Police Station, the release added. Sahab Uddin faces seven cases filed with Companiganj and Kotwali police stations. On 11 August, a BNP statement signed by Senior Joint Secretary General Advocate Ruhul Kabir Rizvi announced his suspension from the party.

The residents of Sylhet city are facing a severe electricity crisis as frequent load -shedding since Wednesday has caused immense suffering amid sweltering heat. Large parts of the city plunged into darkness on Wednesday evening, leaving residents struggling to cope with. The Bangladesh Power Development Board (BPDB) in Sylhet said the country is experiencing power cuts due to several major plants going off suddenly because of mechanical failures. BPDB officials, however,  expressed the hope that the situation may improve within two to three days. Officials in Sylhet said multiple outages are being carried out both during the day and night owing to a shortage in the national grid. The crisis could ease if supply from the grid increases. According to BPDB, Sylhet’s current electricity demand stands at over 40 megawatts, while supply from the national grid is only 25.30 megawatts.  This shortfall has forced authorities to impose frequent power cuts every day, said Shams-E-Arefin, Executive Engineer of BPDB’s Sales and Distribution Division-2 in Sylhet. On Tuesday, the Amberkhana substation received 13 megawatts, Sheikhghat substation 9 megawatts, and Lakkatura substation only 3.3 megawatts. “We are receiving limited power from the national grid, so it is not possible to meet the city’s demand. It remains uncertain how long this situation will persist. The crisis will ease once adequate supply from the national grid resumes,” said Arefin.

The government will bring the Sada Pathor tourism spot under 24-hour CCTV surveillance, said Dr. Mokhlesur Rahman, senior secretary of the Ministry of Public Administration. He also warned that no one involved in the looting of stones from Sada Pathor tourist area — regardless of their rank in the administration or political affiliation — will be spared.  Mokhlesur Rahman made the remarks during a visit to the site on Friday morning. “The administration must remain on high alert so that no one dares to extract stones illegally in the future,” he added.

A Sylhet court on Wednesday sentenced eight people to death and seven others to life term imprisonment for killing a schoolboy in Biswanath upazila in 2021.   Judge Syeda Amina Farhin of  Sylhet Additional Session Judge Court-1 handed down the punishment.   The court also sentenced 17 others accused to two years of jail each.   The condemned convicts are Bangladeshi expatriate in UK Saiful Alam, Nazrul, Sadrul, Siraj, Jamal, Shahin, Abdul Jalil and Anwar while the lifers are Elias, Abdun Nur, Joynal, Ashique, Askir, Farid and Akbar.   According to the prosecution, Saiful Alam of Chaitannagar village in Biswanath Upazila had an enmity with Najir Uddin over digging the soil of a land owned by Najir.    An altercation ensued between them when Saiful tried to fill the road with the soil from the land of Najir on May 1, 2021.   Five arrested over Rangpur violence   When Najir along with his cousin Manik and his nephew Sumel Mia, 18, a class 10 student obstructed him Saiful opened fire on them, leaving Sumel dead on the spot and four others injured with bullets.   Ibrahim Ali Sijil, cousin of Sumel, filed a case against 27 people with Biswanath Police Station. Rama Prosad Chakraborty, then officer-in-charge of Biswanath Police Station, submitted a chargesheet against 32 people.   On July 13, police produced the 30 accused before the court while another accused identified as Mamunur Rashid tried in absentia.