More than 600 traps meant for hunting deer and 16 illegal crab-catching tools were recovered from the Kokilmoni patrol outpost and Tiyarchar area of the East Sundarbans.
However, none of the poachers could be apprehended during the operation. The members of the poaching ring continue to evade capture. These items were seized during a raid on the evening of Monday.
Earlier, on Friday, forest guards recovered another 135 loop traps during a secret operation in the Dhangmari station area under the Chadpai range of the East Sundarbans.
Among them, 82 traps were seized from a canal adjacent to Hular Bharani and 53 traps from the Surjomukhi canal area. The recovered traps were later destroyed by burning.
Although raids are being carried out regularly, questions have been raised about the effectiveness of the Forest Department, as the poachers repeatedly manage to escape.
Locals allege that a powerful hunting syndicate has long been active deep inside the forest and often receives advance warnings, allowing them to flee safely.
Environmentalists warn that unless deer hunting in the Sundarbans is stopped, the region's biodiversity will face severe threats. They stress that, alongside law enforcement, community engagement and technology-based surveillance are now essential.
Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the East Sundarbans, said that under foot patrol operations, range officers and forest staff launched a covert operation in the Tiyarchar area of the Kokilmoni patrol outpost after dusk on Monday.
During the raid, more than 600 scattered loop traps and 16 crab-catching tools were recovered from various spots in the forest. He stated that upon learning about the Forest Department’s routine patrols, the poachers had already fled the area, burying the traps underground to avoid detection.
The seized equipment is currently being held at the Kokilmoni patrol outpost.
The DFO further added that forest officers and staff are relentlessly working to prevent all kinds of forest crimes. He expressed hope that this strict enforcement by the Forest Department will significantly reduce such illegal activities in the Sundarbans.
