KHULNA, Aug 12, 2025 (BSS) - The Forest Department members have arrested 70 alleged smugglers and seized around 14,000 feet of deer-trapping snares along with 148 fishing trawlers and boats from various locations in the eastern Sundarbans during the last one month amid the restricted entry period.

The detainees were sent to Bagerhat District Jail through the court.

Since June 1, the Forest Department has been conducting an intensive anti-poaching and anti-smuggling drive in the Sharankhola and Chandpai ranges to stop illegal entry, wildlife trafficking, and unauthorised fishing during the three-month ban period, which will continue until August 31.

During the operations, forest officials seized 13,598 feet of deer-trapping snares, 20 snare traps, 82,000 meters of illegal fishing nets, 13 bottles of pesticides, 310 kilograms of poisoned fish, 22 sacks of dried fish, 375 kilograms of crabs, and 1,280 banned crab-catching devices from different parts of the forest, including Dublarchar, Kochikhali, Shelar Char, Katka, Kokilmoni, Charaputia, and Andharmanik.

Officials said many fishermen try to bypass forest rangers to enter the forest illegally and catch fish during the ban period.

In July alone, forest officials conducted 58 special operations in the Sundarbans, seizing 148 fishing trawlers and boats and arresting 70 fishermen, while many others fled deeper into the forest.

A total of 43 cases were filed under the Forest Act against 134 individuals in connection with these crimes.

Talking to BSS, Mohammad Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Divisional Forest Officer of the Eastern Sundarbans Forest Division in Bagerhat, said the ongoing drives have been successful, helping to arrest many offenders and recover numerous deer traps, thus protecting the forest's wildlife.

He urged local residents to continue cooperating with forest rangers to preserve the Sundarbans and its biodiversity.