S. M. Saiful Islam Kabir,  Sundarbans Region Correspondent  

In the past three months, 641 kgs  of deer venison  have been seized and 22 poachers were  arrested. 

Poaching of deer has intensified in the world's largest mangrove forest, the Sundarbans. Deer are being hunted using traps and poisoned arrows. Poaching syndicates are actively engaged in deer hunting. There is a call to reintegrate poachers into alternative livelihoods. 

According to various forest-related sources, recent times have seen an increase in deer smuggling from the Sundarbans. For a long time, deer poaching syndicates have been operating in the localities adjacent to the Sundarbans. Organized poaching groups are continuously killing deer in the forest. In the past three months, the Coast Guard has recovered 641 kg of deer meat. Twenty-two poachers have been arrested, along with deer traps and boats. Kachikhali in the Sundarbans has now become a safe route for deer smuggling. The role of forest guards in preventing deer smuggling has come under public scrutiny. 

After being caught in poachers' traps, deer are killed inside the Sundarbans. The meat is then prepared in pieces and brought to localities for sale. If not caught, it is impossible to know how many deer are being killed in the Sundarbans. The Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, is home to the highest number of deer.

 Specially in the grasslands of the Sundarbans, these deer are easily visible. Some travel in groups, while others come alone. Their golden to reddish-brown bodies are adorned with round white spots, earning them the name Chitra (spotted) deer. Tourists frequently spot deer at tourist spots in the Sundarbans. This shy animal tries to hide in dense forests upon hearing human sounds.

Poachers set traps along the regular paths of deer. The deer get caught while traveling. Traps are set at night and checked the next night. In areas with high deer movement, nylon nets, poisoned arrows, spring-loaded traps, hooks with bananas, sedatives, and guns are used to hunt deer.

With fishing permits, poachers secretly enter the forest at night. They use a type of nylon rope trap. These are set along the regular paths of deer. The deer get caught while traveling. Traps are set at night and checked the next night. Sometimes, deer get caught and die in these traps. At other times, they get their legs caught and are entangled in the nets. 

These traps are predominantly used in areas like Hiran Point, Dubla Char, Bangabandhu Char, Katka, Talpatti, Kachikhali, Dubla Chandreshwar, Bogi, and Charkhali. Poaching activities increase in these areas during various occasions. Poachers hunt deer from the forest and hand them over to their associates in localities. The deer are transferred through various places and reach their final destination. 

In the past three months, the Sundarbans Division and Coast Guard have separately conducted operations, seizing 641 kg of deer meat. During this period, deer heads, skins, carcasses, legs, traps, boats, and trawlers have been seized. Twenty-two individuals have been arrested. Despite occasional seizures of deer meat and arrests of poaching syndicate members, deer hunting continues unabated. If this continues, the Sundarbans may eventually face a 

Local fishermen say that to prevent deer hunting, strict enforcement of laws is necessary, and poachers should be identified and reintegrated into alternative livelihoods. Wildlife experts say that deer hunting in the Sundarbans is more dangerous than tiger hunting. Tigers' primary food is deer. Therefore, if deer are absent, tigers will also disappear from the Sundarbans.

Recently, the number of deer in the Sundarbans has increased. Now, deer can be seen in every corner of the Sundarbans. They are often seen moving in groups along the forest's canals or rivers. There are two species of deer in the Sundarbans: Maya and Chitra. However, the number of Chitra deer is higher. 

To stop deer hunting, experts are ultimately seeking the intervention of the Chief Adviser. According to a survey by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in December 2023, there are currently 136,604 deer in the Sundarbans. In 2004, the number was 83,000. Thus, over 19 years, the deer population in the Sundarbans has increased by 53,604.

Upon investigation, it is found that poachers preserve and smuggle deer meat, skins, heads, and other body parts using local methods. They are in contact with agents and traders. Through these agents, sometimes advance orders are taken, and at other times, meat is brought and then sold. Through this network, deer meat reaches various parts of the country.

Buyers often hesitate to purchase deer meat without seeing the deer themselves, suspecting fraud. Therefore, poachers bring live deer into localities and slaughter them.