Nature and Life - Episode 350 (পাহাড়ি বনের বন্যপ্রাণী | Wildlife Of Hill Forest)
The northeast and southeast areas of Bangladesh consist of numerous mounds and hills.
Evergreen and mixed evergreen forests have grown in this vast hilly region.
The ecosystem of hill forests with diverse flora houses numerous wildlife.
The presence of various wildlife in these hill forests has enriched the country’s biodiversity.
Different species of fauna are found in the hill forests, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians.
Birds are prevalent among the wildlife of hill forests.
These forests are home to a variety of birds.
Many of these birds are found all over the country, but some of them live only in the hill forests.
Based on habitats, these birds are known as the birds of hills.
Kalij Pheasant, Grey peacock-pheasant, Indian Roller, Oriental Pied Hornbill, Owl, Greater racket-tailed Drongo, Myna, Leafbird, Green-pigeon, Dove, Parrot, Bulbul, Woodpecker, Water-redstart, and various species are found in these forests.
Food habits of hill forest birds vary as well.
Some birds feed on fruits.
Also, insectivorous birds feed on various insects.
Birds of prey feed on various small animals.
These diverse food habits maintain the balance of hilly ecosystem.
The hilly evergreen forest contains a variety of reptile species.
The largest tortoise in Asia, the Asian Forest Tortoise is found in the evergreen forests of Chittagong Hill Tracts.
Elongated Tortoise, Arakan Forest Turtle, and several species of tortoise are also available.
Leaf turtles can be found in the flowing stream of hill forests.
The great majority of reptiles are snakes.
Burmese Python, Reticulated Python, Common Vine Snake, Kukri Snake, Copper-headed Trinket Snake, Assam Snail-eater, Pit Viper, Cat Snake, Ornate Flying Snake, and Red-necked Keelback are notable among them.
Various lizard species are also available.
They are seen in the bushes and plants of the forest.
Green Fan-throated Lizard, Long-tailed Lizard, Flying Lizard, Gecko, and several Skink species have enriched the biodiversity of forests.
The hill forest is also home to a variety of amphibian species.
The majority of amphibians inhabit in and near hilly streams.
Water bodies are crucial for their life cycle.
There are Crab-eating Frog, Cope's Assam Frog, Bhamo Frog, Maculated Tree Frog, Twin-spotted Tree Frog, and several frog species in hilly regions.
Mammals of hills include Elephants, Deer, Monkeys, Langurs, Squirrels, Bears, Porcupines, Civets, and many more animals.
Monkeys and Langurs are popular among the mammals in our country.
10 species of Monkeys and Langurs are found in this country.
Most of them inhabit various forests.
Bengal Slow Loris, Phayre’s Leaf Monkey, Capped Langur, and Hoolock Gibbon are notable among them.
They usually feed on fruits, leaves, and raw branches of trees.
Squirrels are the ficklest among mammals.
Among the squirrels of the hill forest, Black Giant Squirrel, Giant Flying Squirrel, Pallas’s Squirrel, and Irrawaddy Squirrel are notable.
The hill forests also have Wild Boar, Sambar Deer, and Barking Deer.
The biggest terrestrial mammal, Elephants mainly inhabit the hill forests.
They forage for feeding in groups across vast hilly areas.
Besides, various cat species, including the Leopard Cat, Clouded Leopard, and Marbled Cat are available in the hilly forests.
Masked-palm Civet wanders deep inside the hills.
They are experts in climbing trees.
Hill forests are regarded as one of the most biodiverse ecosystems on the earth.
Various hill forests of Bangladesh contain a diverse range of flora and fauna.
These animals are an integral part of the hilly ecosystem.
The balance of the forest's ecosystem depends on their presence.
However, the wildlife of hill forests is currently endangered due to various negative activities.
The destruction of evergreen forests and the reduction of forest areas resulted in a crisis of safe habitat and food for wildlife in hill forests.
As a result, human-wildlife conflict is increasing.
Besides, the streams of hill forests are drying up due to tree felling.
It disrupts the movement and reproduction of animals that depend on streams.
Many animals are also critically endangered due to illegal hunting.
Therefore, to conserve wildlife in hill forests, their natural habitat must be ensured.
As they are vital to the ecology of evergreen hill forests, these forests must be conserved to ensure safe habitats, feeding, and breeding for wildlife.
Only then the hilly areas of this country will be full of wildlife.
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