, May 7 -- The government has declared two ecologically vital wetlands in Rajshahi district as 'Wetland-Dependent Wildlife Sanctuaries' to ensure the conservation of their rich biodiversity, particularly avian species.

The announcement came through two separate gazette notifications issued on Wednesday by Forest Wing-2 of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change under the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act, 2012.

The newly designated sanctuaries include a 1.65-acre wetland in Biljowana Mouza of Tanore upazila and a 15.08-acre wetland in Bilbala Mouza under Godagari upazila.

These wetlands serve as crucial winter habitats for a diverse range of native and migratory bird species.

Among the commonly sighted native bir...