Locals say that during festivals like Eid, the demand for deer meat increases in the surrounding Sundarbans. Wealthy individuals often want to celebrate with deer meat, which prompts local poachers to become more active during this time.

The Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, is home to a large population of deer, primarily the Maya and Chitra species. Among them, Chitra deer are more common. According to a December 2023 survey by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), are currently 136,604 deer in the Sundarbans. In contrast, a 2004 survey reported only 83,000 deer. While the number of deer is increasing, so are the allegations of poaching.

Obaidul Kabir Samrat, Coordinator of the Sundarbans and Coastal Protection Foundation said, “In the Sundarbans, deer are the main prey of tigers and are regularly hunted. However, during festivals, the demand for wild animal meat increases in the Sundarbans and nearby areas. Wealthy people celebrate with deer meat, leading to heightened activity by local poaching rings.”

The Forest Department and police say that, based on information from poachers arrested in various operations, those living near the forest are most involved in deer hunting. Particularly, people from areas like Koyra, Dacope, and Paikgacha in Khulna, Shyamnagar in Satkhira, and Mongla and Sarankhola in Bagerhat are more likely to hunt deer. Most people in these rural areas are laborers, and almost every family has someone involved in activities related to the Sundarbans.

According to sources from the Forest Department and police, 757 kg of deer meat has been seized from the Sundarbans in the current fiscal year. 36 cases have been filed, and 84 people have been charged. In the 2023-24 fiscal year, 514 kg of deer meat was seized, and in 2022-23, 523 kg was seized.

According to the Sundarbans and Coastal Protection Foundation, a volunteer organization working in the area, the amount of deer meat and skin seized is much lower than what is hunted. Occasionally, deer meat, skin, or heads are recovered in some operations, but the main poachers and traffickers are not caught. Most of the time, only those carrying the meat are arrested. Those caught often exploit gaps in the law and return to their poaching activities after a few days.

In recent years, due to the effects of climate change, the income of people dependent on the Sundarbans’ resources has decreased. As a result, some forest dwellers turn to poaching for their livelihood.

Several residents of the areas surrounding the Sundarbans, who wished to remain anonymous, have shared details about professional poachers. These poachers secretly enter the Sundarbans and set nylon rope traps. Deer get caught in these traps while moving through the forest. The poachers do not carry traps when they enter the forest. Disguised as fishermen, they take ropes along with fishing nets. Inside the forest, they set traps using the ropes to catch deer. They place these traps along the deer’s usual paths. Once a deer is trapped, they cut the meat and bring it to local markets for sale. The skin, head, antlers, and other body parts are preserved and trafficked using local methods. These body parts are often collected by collectors who decorate their drawing rooms with them. When leaving after a hunt, they pack the traps into bags, bury them in the forest, and may return to use them again when the opportunity arises.

These poachers stay in contact with agents and traders. Through these agents, they sometimes take advance orders or bring the meat to sell afterward. Deer meat from this network reaches various parts of the country.

In areas near the Sundarbans, deer meat costs between BDT 500 to 600 per kilogram. It can go up to BDT 1,000 to 2,000 per kilogram in district towns. A live deer can be sold for BDT 15,000 to 20,000.

AZM Hasanur Rahman, divisional forest officer of the Sundarbans West Division, stated that during Eid, certain unscrupulous individuals attempt to plunder the Sundarbans' resources. During this time, poachers become even more reckless. However, strict security measures have been put in place to control this. All officers and forest guards have had their leave canceled, and they have been prohibited from leaving their posts. Additional patrols have been ordered, and the safety of eco-tourists in tourist areas is being ensured.