A man has been sentenced to jail for destroying dozens of weaver bird (Babui Pakhi) nests and causing the deaths of numerous chicks in the Popadia union of Boalkhali Upazila in a heart-wrenching incident of animal cruelty.

The convict, identified as Bacha Mia, reportedly destroyed approximately 20 to 22 weaver bird nests hanging from a palm tree near the Bhubaneswari Matri Mandir area. On Wednesday afternoon (April 15), Boalkhali Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) and Executive Magistrate Mehedi Hasan Faruk conducted a mobile court at the scene, sentencing Bacha Mia to 7 days of rigorous imprisonment and imposing a fine of Tk 20,000.

According to local sources, the individual used bamboo poles over the past two days to knock down the nests, claiming the birds were damaging his crops. This brutal act resulted in the deaths of approximately 50 to 60 weaver bird chicks. Witnesses reported seeing dead chicks scattered on the ground, many of which were scavenged by crows, dogs and cats. Several dead hatchlings were still visible on the soil when officials arrived.

Speaking on the matter, UNO Mehedi Hasan Faruk described the scene as “extremely tragic and heart-breaking.” He stated, “A large number of chicks have perished due to this senseless act. The accused admitted to his crime during the spot visit. Consequently, under Section 38 of the Wildlife Conservation and Security Act, he has been penalized with both imprisonment and a financial fine.”

Local residents and environmentalists have expressed deep shock over the incident, calling for greater awareness regarding the protection of weaver birds, often referred to as the “artisan birds” of rural Bangladesh for their intricate nest-building skills.