Photo : BSS

KHULNA, Sept 12, 2025 (BSS) – Forest guards have arrested 17 poachers and seized huge venison, crabs, chemical mixed shrimp and deer hunting traps from the Eastern Sundarbans in the last 3 months during the ongoing combing operation.

According to Forest Department sources, the ban was enforced for three consecutive months to allow fish and wildlife breeding. 

Despite this, certain groups of fishermen and poachers entered the forest secretly to fish, catch crabs, and set traps for deer. 

Due to strict monitoring and special raids by the forest guards, 17 offenders were caught over the three months.

Several cases were filed against arrestees, and they were sent to jail through the Bagerhat court.

Md. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the East Sundarbans Forest Division in Bagerhat, said that during operations over the past three months in the Sharankhola and Chandpai ranges, forest guards recovered huge venison, crabs and deer hunting traps from their possession.

The seizures included, 50 kg of venison, 575 kg of chemical mixed (poisoned) shrimp, 58 bottles of pesticides, 375 kg of crabs, 22 sacks of dried fish, 24,668 feet of deer-hunting mala traps, 130 snare traps, 605 walking traps (900 feet), 242 boats and trawlers, 3,073 crab-catching devices, and 13,749 feet of illegal fishing nets.

Chowdhury added that the tendency of forest-related crimes has been reduced significantly. 

 “The forest department is following a zero-tolerance policy to protect the Sundarbans and its wildlife. To save the Sundarbans, cooperation from local communities is essential. Alongside enforcing the law, we are also working to raise awareness so that this forest can be preserved for future generations,” DFO added.