By Amreto Sarkar, Rajshahi
The morning was filled with colors and stories of life. Tithi Sutradhar, a fifth-grade student from Gokul-Mathura village in Tanore, Rajshahi, participated in a unique art competition. Her drawing portrayed the aquatic life and natural beauty of Biljoyana and Bilkumari and it won her first prize. When Tithi later visited the uncultivated plant stall at the fair and curiously asked about the singra plant, the answer came in poetic verse from local poet and Ayurvedic healer Afaz Uddin. This vibrant celebration of biodiversity and folk culture was the Biodiversity Festival 2025.
The Beauty and Crisis of the Wetlands
Biljoyana and Bilkumari are two wetlands in the Barind region, covering approximately 387 acres. Flowing through the heart of the Shiv River basin, these wetlands are not only habitats for fish, birds, and aquatic species but also vital sources of livelihood for thousands of farmers, fishers, and local residents. During the monsoon, the wetlands brim with life; in the dry season, they transform into fertile agricultural lands.
However, these wetlands are now under serious threat. Water scarcity, chemical pesticide use, illegal land grabbing, bird hunting, and river blocking have severely impacted the region’s biodiversity. As locals say, “If we lose the wetlands, we lose life.”
The Purpose behind the Festival
To mark International Day for Biological Diversity (May 22), the “Biljoyana-Bilkumari Biodiversity Festival 2025” was jointly organized by BARCIK, Green Coalition, and the Gokul-Mathura Youth Organization. The event aimed to raise public awareness about wetland biodiversity conservation, honor local knowledge and experiences, and strengthen both governmental and non-governmental initiatives.
The keynote paper was presented by BARCIK’s regional coordinator Md. Shahidul Islam, and the event was moderated by program officer Amreto Sarkar. Poet Afaz Uddin Kobiraj recited his poetry dedicated to the life of the wetlands. While children’s drawings portrayed aquatic life, elderly participants shared memories of the wetlands from earlier days, painting a vivid picture of their natural heritage.
The Crisis and Demands
River researcher and convener of Gren Coalition Mahabub Siddiqui said, “Due to the damming of the Shiv River, Biljoyana and Bilkumari are drying up day by day, leading to the extinction of many aquatic species.” He called for immediate dredging of the wetlands. Md. Jahangir Kabir, inspector from the Wildlife Conservation Department, said, “If development plans ignore environmental and wildlife conservation, nature will collapse. Awareness must start at the grassroots.”
Ataur Rahman, president of the local fishers’ association, presented five demands:
- Remove the dam on the Shiv River to restore water flow
- Evict encroachers and demarcate the wetland boundaries
- Excavate the wetlands and river to ensure year-round water retention
- Ban chemical pesticide use to conserve biodiversity
- Provide government support for fishers during breeding season fishing ban
A Call for Coexistence with Nature
This festival was more than just a celebration, it was a call to coexist with nature as well. Through children’s art, elders’ stories, poetic verses, and community demands, a singular message resonated: Protecting biodiversity is protecting our very existence.
The active participation of the local community made the event come alive and sent out a powerful message: Only by loving nature can we ensure that nature loves us back.
