HC orders preservation of Akashkoli bird sanctuary in Pabna

The High Court has directed authorities to take immediate measures to preserve the bird sanctuary established by the late environmentalist Akashkoli Das in Kaitola Union of Bera Upazila, Pabna.

The bench issued the order on Monday (May 18) following a writ petition filed by Advocate Mejbahul Islam Asif on behalf of the 'Lawyers for Law Society'.

"We previously served a legal notice to the authorities to protect the sanctuary," said Advocate Asif, General Secretary of the organization. "When they failed to act, we filed a writ petition to safeguard public interest and biodiversity. Acknowledging the validity of our plea, the court ordered the preservation of the sanctuary."

The late Akashkoli Das, a lifelong bachelor popularly known as 'Pakhibandhu' (Friend of Birds), had created a safe avian habitat through long-term afforestation on approximately 8 bighas of land. He received various honors, including the 'National Award for Wildlife Conservation 2024', for his contributions to the environment.

Following Das’s death on August 18, 2025, individuals identified as Asit Ghosh, Asim Ghosh, and Mohammad Ali claimed ownership of the property. The issue gained media attention when they attempted to fell trees and construct permanent structures on the land, despite the site being recognized under the Department of Fisheries' 'Wetland Biodiversity Rehabilitation Project (WBRP)' and listed as a bird sanctuary by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

In January this year, local environmental groups 'Nature and Wildlife Conservation Community, Pabna' and 'Green Voice' formed a human chain and submitted a memorandum demanding the sanctuary's protection. Additionally, on March 8, animal rights activist Rakibuzzaman Shad appealed to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for state intervention.

"This sanctuary is not just a habitat for birds; it is the legacy of 50 years of dedication by a national award-winning environmentalist," Shad said. "State intervention is crucial to preserve such public initiatives."