Photo: BSS

KHULNA, Jan 27, 2026 (BSS) - A total of 311 people have been arrested in the  Sundarbans East Forest area for various crimes related to forest, including  illegal deer hunting and fishing during the past eight months.

During the period, security forces, including the Coast Guard and Forest  Department, have conducted numerous drives and nabbed them. They also seized  242 kilograms of venison and 351 boats and trawlers.

According to the Forest Department, from May to December 2025, joint  operations in the Shyamnagar and Chandpai ranges of the Sundarbans East  Forest led to arrests for illegal deer poaching, fishing, crab catching, and  other offenses.   Cases were filed against the accused who have been sent to jail later through  the Bagerhat courts.

The seized items include 61,000 feet of deer traps, 90 bottles of pesticides,  700-kg of poisoned fish, 816-kg of crabs, 5,500 crab traps, 231 fishing nets,  22 sacks of dried fish, and 217-kg of various fish species.

Md. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, divisional forest officer (DFO) of Sundarbans  East, said forest guards in protected areas like the Sundarbans conduct  daily, strenuous patrols on foot and by river to combat poaching, dismantle  illegal traps, and prevent illegal logging to protect deer and other  wildlife.   The authorities have emphasized a "zero-tolerance policy" to protect the  biodiversity of the Sundarbans, he added.