Despite various preventive measures taken by the forest department and
the law enforcement agencies, a good number of deer was killed by the
poachers at different points of Sundarban during the Rashmela in Dublar
Char area celebrated November 15-17.
In a drive on Friday midnight, a special team of West Forest Department
of Sundarban arrested 27 poachers from Patkusta and Kalirchar area under
Nalian Forest Station in Dakop upazila. They also seized 15 kgs of
venison along with 2 trawlers from their possession.
Assistant Forest Conservator of West Forest Department in Sundarban Md
Towfiqul Islam told the news agency, on receipt of a secret information,
forest guards conducted a drive in the area and arrested the poachers
who sneaked into Sundarban in the guise of pilgrims to attend the Rash
Mela allegedly ‘managing’ a section of the forest personnel.
They are alleged to have entered the forest about a week before the
commencement of the Rashmela, he said adding that the arrested were sent
to the jail on Saturday while the venison was distributed among the
destitute.
A case was filed with Dakop Police Station in this connection on Saturday.
Sources said, some poachers who moved to the forest in mechanised
trawlers and boats carried necessary implements such as knives, axes,
machetes, saws and plastic cords were used to make the traps to catch
the deer live and kill them. Allegations are there that the poachers
also destroyed a number of trees at the locations where the poachers
were active.
The three day-long ‘Rashmela’, a traditional fair and Rash Purnima Snan
(Sea bath) of the Hindu community, began from November 15 at Dublarchar
in Sundarban. Rashmela is one of the main festivals of the members of
Hindu community in the country.
Hundreds of people from far flung areas of the adjoining districts of Sundarban gathered at Dublarchar to attend the fair.
Earlier, West Zone Forest Department of Sundarban has been selected
eight routes for the Rashmela pilgrims and viewers. Additional forces
of the law enforcement agencies including Border Guard of Bangladesh,
Coast Guard and police were also deployed and set up check posts on all
routes for the safety of pilgrims and viewers. (source)