362 arrested for forest crimes in Sundarbans in 10 months

In the last 10 months, 362 people have been arrested for forest crimes during operations conducted by forest guards in the Eastern Division of the Sundarbans. During the drives, 250kg of venison (deer meat) was recovered and 403 trawlers and boats, along with other items, were seized.

According to the Forest Department, from May 25 last year to February 26 this year, forest guards arrested 362 people in connection with around 218 cases involving illegal deer hunting, fish and crab catching, and other forest crimes in the Sharankhola Range and Chandpai Range under the Eastern Division of the Sundarbans. Nineteen accused are currently absconding.

The arrested individuals were sent to jail through the court in Bagerhat District headquarters.
According to the Forest Department, in the last 10 months forest guards seized 250kg of deer meat, 403 trawlers and boats, 83,153 feet of deer-catching traps, 657 silk traps, 2,166 normal traps, 90 bottles of pesticide, five packets of rotenone powder, 699kg of poisoned fish of different species, 386 crabs, 7,500 crab fishing rods, 254 fishing nets, and 22,217kg of fish of various species, including sacks of dried fish and other forest products.

Md. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Eastern Sundarbans in Bagerhat, said forest guards regularly patrol on foot and along river routes to protect wildlife, including deer, in the forest.

“As a result of these operations, 362 people were arrested in the last 10 months. The operation has been a great success and forest crime is gradually decreasing,” the DFO added.