S.M. Saiful Islam Kabir, Sundarbans 

Along the coast of  Sundarbans,  a major crackdown was conducted  in July during the fishing ban period. Forest officials detained 70 individuals and seized 148 trawlers along with a large number of illegal deer traps. Those detained were sent to jail through forest crime cases processed in court.

According to the Forest Department, a three-month ban on entering the Sundarbans and fishing has been in effect since June 1, aimed at conserving biodiversity and enhancing fish breeding. During this period, forest rangers launched coordinated operations across the Eastern Sundarbans to prevent the poaching of deer and other wildlife.

During these raids, illegal deer hunters were apprehended, and numerous deer snare traps, boats, trawlers, crab-catching tools, pesticides, and dried shrimp were seized. The ban is scheduled to end on September 1.

Sources further reported that some fishermen secretly entered the Sundarbans during the ban, evading forest guards to fish illegally. To catch these violators, forest officials conducted 58 special raids in July in the Sharankhola and Chandpai Ranges of the Eastern Sundarbans.

From various locations including Dublarchar, Kochikhali, Shelar Char, Katka, Kokilmoni, Charaputia, and Andharmanik, a total of 148 fishing trawlers and boats were confiscated, and 70 fishermen were arrested, while many others escaped into the forest. All arrested were prosecuted under the Forest Act and sent to jail via Bagerhat court.

Besides, 43 forest crime cases were filed, involving 134 accused, as per forest department records.

When contacted, Mohammad Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, DFO of the Eastern Sundarbans in Bagerhat told The Country Today  the ongoing crackdown since June is yielding positive results. Many offenders have already been arrested and sent to jail. Numerous deer traps have been recovered, helping to save many deer. We call on the local population to join hands with the forest guards in protecting the Sundarbans and its wildlife.