S.M. Saiful Islam Kabir,  Sundarbans

The world heritage site Sundarbans is facing a rising threat from illegal deer poaching, with hunters increasingly using traps and poison bait to kill spotted deer.

In an unprecedented move, the Forest Department has announced a cash incentive program: anyone who surrenders deer traps—specifically nylon snares—will receive Tk 2,000 per kilogram of the material.

The initiative, launched under the leadership of the newly appointed Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) for the East Sundarbans, aims to curb the rampant hunting of deer by encouraging locals, particularly fishermen and honey collectors, to turn in the illegal equipment.

Despite efforts to protect wildlife, poaching activities have escalated in recent months, particularly in the Chandpai and Sharankhola ranges of the East Sundarbans and parts of the Western region. According to forest department sources, organized syndicates—often operating under the cover of fishing or honey collection—are hunting deer for their meat and skin. These operations are reportedly supported by influential locals and, in some cases, facilitated by corrupt forest officials.

Each year, thousands of deer fall victim to traps set deep in the forest. The poachers typically use nylon rope to build loop traps placed in known deer paths. When a deer runs through, its legs become entangled, allowing poachers to capture or kill it at will. According to officials from the Mongla-based Coast Guard West Zone, at least 423 kilograms of venison, 80 traps, and seven poachers have been seized in the past month alone. However, these busts represent only a fraction of the ongoing illegal activity.

Deer meat sells for between Tk 800 and Tk 1,000 per kilogram in local markets, with some even reaching the capital, Dhaka. In particular, the annual Rash Mela has been associated with a surge in poaching, as hunters disguise themselves as pilgrims to enter the forest.

In areas such as Sonatola, Panirghat, Rajapur, and Rasulpur under Sharankhola, as well as in Morelganj, Patharghata, and Jhiudhora, poaching syndicates are active. Deer are hunted at night and smuggled out to surrounding localities, where the meat is sold in secret markets.

“We're encouraging mouals (honey collectors) and fishermen to help us identify and remove traps from the forest. If they submit traps, we’ll pay Tk 2,000 per kg. This initiative is already showing promise,” said Md. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, the newly appointed DFO of the East Sundarbans.

Forest officials believe this reward system will significantly reduce the number of active traps and help prevent mass deer killings. However, experts caution that long-term success depends on better enforcement, accountability among forest personnel, and community engagement.

Save the Sundarbans Foundation Chairman Sheikh Faridul Islam stressed the need for stronger laws and better coordination. “While Coast Guard actions are visible, the Forest Department must root out corruption within its own ranks. Without this, illegal hunting will continue,” he said. Eyewitnesses from Barguna’s Patharghata, Kachaltali, and Padma sluice areas confirmed that poaching groups are laying traps nightly and smuggling meat through known forest exits. Authorities have increased surveillance using CCTV in sensitive areas and have intensified forest patrols. But as climate change and human activity continue to disrupt the delicate ecosystem, conservationists warn that the deer population—despite showing growth in recent surveys—is at grave risk if poaching is not addressed with urgency.