Forest authorities have significantly strengthened efforts to combat wildlife and forest crimes in the Sundarbans by deploying foot patrols in remote areas and using drones to detect illegal activities in locations inaccessible by boat. Officials say the combined strategy, along with intensified enforcement operations and public awareness campaigns, has contributed to a notable decline in forest-related crimes in the western division of the world's largest mangrove forest.
GuyDivisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Sundarbans West Division, A.Z.M. Hasanur Rahman, highlighted that despite shortages of manpower, modern equipment, and high-performance watercraft, forest guards continue to work tirelessly to safeguard the forest. According to the Forest Department, 396 individuals were arrested in 294 cases during anti-crime operations conducted in Khulna Range over the past year. Authorities also seized 5,712 meters of deer traps, 487 kilograms of venison, and large quantities of illegal fishing and crab-harvesting equipment.
To strengthen surveillance, the department has compiled a watchlist of 135 individuals suspected of involvement in wildlife poaching, particularly deer hunting. Officials believe this targeted monitoring has played an important role in reducing forest crimes compared to previous years. During the 2025–26 fiscal year, forest personnel carried out extensive patrols on foot and by water across remote sections of the Sundarbans to protect biodiversity and wildlife.
Forest officials also confiscated 22 trawlers, 349 boats, 6,986 illegal crab traps, 9,833 meters of fishing rope, 2,612 kilograms of fish, and 1,981 kilograms of illegally harvested crabs from various remote locations within the Khulna Range. Authorities intensified action against groups using toxic chemicals to catch fish in rivers and canals inside the Sundarbans. During the operations, officials recovered 87 bottles of illegal pesticides used for fishing and seized 203 kilograms of honey from criminal groups.
Assistant Conservator of Forests and Range Officer of the Khulna Range Md. Shariful Islam said smart patrol teams, special patrol units, and foot patrols are being deployed to strengthen law enforcement inside the forest. However, he said that forest personnel often face aggressive behavior from some fishermen while conducting enforcement operations, making crime prevention more challenging. He stressed that stopping deer poaching and poison fishing would require broader public participation and a strong social movement. DFO Hasanur Rahman said the use of foot patrols, drone technology and community awareness initiatives have substantially improved the Forest Department's ability to identify offenders and reduce illegal activities.
