Poachers feast on deer without fear in the Sundarbans

A poacher skinning a deer at a place near the Sundarbans, right, a hunted deer being taken to a secret place for the same purpose. Photo: STARAbu Ahmed, Satkhira

Poaching of deer is going on unabated in the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, largely because of government inaction.

Locals around the forest allege that a section of poachers aided by local leaders and activists of political parities and representatives of local government bodies with the connivance of some corrupt forest officials and staff are poaching deer in the forest throughout the year.

A large number of spotted deer were killed in the last few months, villagers said.

On September 15, a team of forest officials recovered 50 kilograms of venison (deer meat) and four heads of slaughtered deer from a trawler in the Mamondo River of the Sundarbans after a gunfight with the poachers.

On October 2, the naval police from Burigoalini naval police station recovered two deer from the house of Ayub Ali of village Dumuria in Shyamnagar upazila.

On October 5, forest officials rescued a deer after the gang fled the spot near the Sundarbans fearing arrest.

A few months ago, poachers threw 30 slaughtered deer into the Roymongal River as Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) men chased them while they were returning with slaughtered deer.

Locals alleged that organised gangs of poachers usually enter the forest through Kailkhali, Munshiganj, Burigoalini, Bhetkhali, Chakbara, Sora, Romjan Nagar, Mirganj, Jelekhali, Tengrakhali, Chunkari, Harinagar, Datinakhali, Lebu Bunia and other adjoining villages of the Sundarbans and hunt deer throughout the year.

They said, a section of locals earn their livelihood by poaching deer and selling venison. Sometimes, they go to the Sundarbans by taking permission as visitors.

Talking to The Daily Star, a number of villagers said horns and hides of deer are the main target of poachers because of their high demand.

Deer hunting in the Sundarbans is banned. Considering the conservational value of the Sundarbans, Unesco has declared part of the forest (1397 sq km) a world heritage site in 1997.

Sources said, a section of government and non-government officials who are posted near the forest visit the Sundarbans and often kill deer. A group of licensed gun holders are also involved in poaching, they said.

Venison is easily available in the villages near the forest and its trading is an open secret there. It is being sold at Tk 230 to 250 per kg.

Contacted, Shyamnagar upazila chairman Abdul Bari said poachers hunt deer throughout the year but hunting of the animal increases during Raas Mela as people who visit the area during the festival usually want to have taste of venison.

Rezaul Karim, Satkhira range officer of the Sundarbans, said they caught a few poachers and took action against them. Forest guards keep watch on the forest to stop poaching. "But our manpower is too small for a vast forest and they are not well equipped. The number needs to be increased and the guards should be well trained", he said.

Abani Thakur, Khulna divisional forest officer, said that they have taken special measures to check poaching of deer during Raas Mela. The three-day Raas Mela this year concluded on Monday.