From the remote areas of the greater Laksam Upazila in the southern part of Cumilla, including guiseps, turtles, tortoises, crabs and frogs are being exported to different countries.
People from a special community, including Sawtal, are keeping various amphibians and aquatic animals. They smuggle those aquatic animals to foreign countries.
Although this poses a serious threat to the environment of the region, it is the only means of livelihood.
Again, these animals are collected and transported across the district borders in various transport vehicles under the noses of the local administration.
Smuggling is being witnessed. This is being done in collusion with a group of local administration officials and political figures.
There have been allegations of aiding in smuggling.
Sources in the southern part of the district said that people from different communities, including Sawtal, have crossed the Indian border.
Those aquatic animals that maintain the balance of this region by illegally entering and capturing them are being sold to India, Burma, China, Singapore and Thailand.
The gang is smuggling to various countries including Bhutan, Nepal, and Korea. The natural environment is facing serious threats.
Despite the increase in the number of animals, the local administration has not taken any initiative to protect these animals. The demand for these aquatic animals has increased at the border markets.
Smuggling has become very busy due to the increasing number of people travelling through the country, especially through the larger Laksam Upazila in the southern part of the district.
The flowing Dakatia River and its surrounding ponds, canals, streams, and canals are home to various aquatic animals including turtles, crabs, and other aquatic animals.
There are also many kinds of frogs and toads that roam the forests, gardens, and mountains. To maintain the natural balance
Local environmentalists say that these animals play a special role. In addition to local people, Indians also visit them in all seasons of the year.
People from certain communities came in groups across the border and freely captured those aquatic and amphibian animals in a special way.
About 150 people are involved in this profession in this region. Those groups of hunters, bypassing the eyes of the local administration.
Every day, various vehicles including buses, trucks, and trains are smuggled to markets in Cumilla and other Indian border areas.
Sources further said that in various border markets of the district, quichcha is sold for 5/600 taka per kilogram, turtle for 4/500 taka,
Cucumbers are sold wholesale at 5/600 taka, gooseberries at 450/500 taka, and frogs at 1500/2000 taka.
The price in the market is even higher. These animals are a favorite food of people in India, Burma, Nepal, Singapore, Korea, Thailand and China.
Since it is identified as a food, it is being smuggled more in those countries. Again, it is a favorite food of the local special community people.
Since they are on the list, they are also killing those animals indiscriminately. A local environmentalist and a source from the special community said, various roads in the southeastern part of Comilla are being used as safe routes for smuggling these animals. Various roads in this region.
To become financially prosperous by being directly or indirectly involved in the control of several smuggling syndicates under various pseudonyms.
More than 200 families from the Indian border area are trying to. In the water areas of 5 upazilas in the southern part of the district, which is predominantly Muslim,
Since there is no demand for those animals, even though people from special communities who come from outside catch them, the locals do not prohibit them.
The source also said that the kuichha is a type of fish. This animal is also known as kuchia, kuche fish, and byam depending on the region.
Scientific name 'Monopterus'. The length of the quichcha varies from 30/40 centimeters. Shallow rivers - canals, canals - rills,
They live in ponds and soft soil. The kuichcha is a giant in nature. Small fish are their main food. Snails.
It also eats dirt and garbage, including earthworms. Many healers and poets recommend eating kuichcha fish as a diet for patients.
However, there is a special demand for it among special communities. In addition, those aquatic animals are considered golden in some countries.
Depending on the type, it is being sold at various border markets in the district at a rate of $10 per gram.
The product is being sold at large hotels and restaurants for about 800 taka per plate in local currency. It is smuggled into this country.
A source from the foreign aquatic animal hunters said that many Dadan traders on the Indian border are using equipment to hunt these animals.
They constantly invest large sums of money every year to buy. Hunters use bamboo poles, nets.
Many people are catching these aquatic and amphibian animals using special techniques, including fishing rods, specially designed traps, or even with their bare hands.
Aquatic, amphibian, and forest animals that maintain the balance are constantly being hunted by poachers and are constantly being destroyed.
Speaking to the team of the foreign source, it was learned that from Ghoshkhamar village of Rajnagar police station in the Indian state of Tripura.
Shawtal youths, Raju, Shyamal, Pradhan, who had crossed the Indian border in Cumilla district, several hunters, including Sarkar, Krishnanil, Shankar, Nityanarayan, Dipu, Manchanga, Shishir Lal, Ganguli, said that in all seasons.
Although these animals can be caught, they are very difficult to catch in the winter when they go into their burrows. Although they are not caught much during the rainy season, we
We can bring them out with our own tricks. Still, during the ongoing rainy season, we have to catch those animals for our livelihood.
Every week, 3/4 days, they smuggle animals into the region and sell them wholesale at border markets.
I sell it in the shop. This is their father's and grandfather's profession.
Another member of the party, Sawtal youth Rajkumar, said, "For a special reason, the border guards from both countries in the district are in our profession."
They do not bite. Although they are very expensive, these animals are easily caught. They are found in the high hilly areas of Tripura state.
Our local women catch whatever little is available. And the men hunt far and wide.' The young man added we have one and a half to two hundred people in our group. After selling the hunted animals to the Dadan traders, the rest.
We keep it as our own food'. This is how our life goes on. People from those communities across the southern part of the district
In order to achieve this, the respective Upazila Fisheries Departments have undertaken various projects. In particular, in this region, nearly a hundred people are engaged in this
Sources from the office of the Laksam Upazila Senior Fisheries Officer said that 45 people from that community in Laksam
In addition to providing financial assistance to people through various projects, we are working to conserve aquatic and forest animals.
