KHULNA, Aug 14, 2026 (BSS) - Deer poaching, smuggling and fishing with poison in the Sundarbans have declined significantly this year, with the Forest Department stepping up smart patrols and drone-based surveillance.

According to the Forest Department, its personnel conducted 3,214 drives in the Sundarbans from June to August this year and filed four cases over forest-related offences. They seized 13 boats, six fishing nets, 32 bottles, two litres of liquid and three packets of poison.

The drives also led to the recovery of 151.5 kg of poison-contaminated shrimp, 5 kg of fish and two sacks of dried fish.

During the same period last year, the department conducted drives that resulted in five arrests and eight cases. It seized 27 boats, 21 nets, 52 bottles and five litres of poison and recovered 245 kg of poisoned fish, 145 kg of poisoned shrimp, 177 kg of white fish and 22 sacks of dried fish.

Deer poaching has also declined. From March to August this year, six cases were filed and nine people were arrested. No deer meat, hide or carcass was recovered. Authorities seized two boats and three trawlers, as well as 14,381 feet of mala traps, 110 chhitka traps, 46 feet of hata traps and 69 dowa traps.

In the corresponding period last year, 20 cases were filed and 12 hunters were arrested. Officials recovered 156.5 kg of deer meat, five heads, eight legs, two hides and two dead deer. They also seized nine boats, six trawlers and large quantities of traps.

Khulna Conservator of Forest Imran Ahmed said the Forest Department has adopted a more proactive, technology-based approach to protecting wildlife and natural resources.

"We have intensified special drives and smart patrols in remote forest areas while conducting close aerial surveillance using drones. As a result, activities of deer poachers and syndicates involved in poison fishing have largely been brought under control," he told BSS.

He said pirate activities are also being curbed through intensified operations by law enforcement agencies and the Forest Department in recent months.

Ahmed added that tourists can visit the Sundarbans without difficulty, as regular patrols are continuing across the forest.