Once a common scene in the rural heartlands of Cox’s Bazar, herds of water buffalo are now becoming a rare spectacle, especially for the younger generation. In the ever-evolving rural landscape of Badarkhali Union in Chakaria, buffalo rearing is gradually disappearing.
Recently, a herd of buffalo was spotted cooling off in a low-lying, waterlogged area in Badarkhali, drawing curious glances from passersby. While such sights remain familiar to village residents, for town dwellers, it feels almost like a glimpse into a vanishing past.
Locals say that buffalo once roamed this region in the thousands. The animals not only symbolized rural tradition but were also a vital source of safe protein and dairy—buffalo milk, curd, and other delicious by-products. But that era is fading fast.
The decline is attributed to changes in agricultural practices, urbanization, and a waning interest in traditional livestock farming. A decade ago, buffalo moved freely across this landscape. Today, their presence has dwindled dramatically.
Concerned residents believe the sight of a buffalo herd has become a stroke of luck for the new generation—an encounter with a vanishing tradition that once shaped the cultural and nutritional fabric of their region.
By Mohammad Morshed
Photo: Mohammad Morshed
