Sundarbans, Nov 03 (V7N) - Authorities have apprehended seven individuals attempting to hunt deer in the Sundarbans, using traps and impersonating forest officials. The arrest took place late Saturday night in the Hondol area of the Kokilmoni patrol outpost under Shyamnagar Range.

The arrested include Manoj Pal, Mojibur Rahman, Ali Hossain, Musak Ali Molla, Mozammel Sheikh, Khan Tamim, and Mallik Ahid. Among them, one is from Mongla, Bagerhat, while the rest are residents of Rampal.

According to Md. Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, Divisional Forest Officer of Sundarbans East Forest Division, the Smart Patrolling Team of the Forest Department conducted a raid around 1:00 AM and intercepted the poachers. To avoid detection, the individuals had displayed a Forest Department flag on their boat. They reportedly intended to attend the Rosh Festival at Dubla Char while carrying out illegal hunting activities.

Authorities confiscated 100 deer traps, two boats, one Forest Department flag, 20 meters of wire snare, one handsaw, 20 containers, four deski (used for cooking deer meat), two cocks, three tarpaulins, and two drums from the suspects.

Following the raid, a case was filed under the Forest Act, and the suspects were sent to jail through the Bagerhat court on Sunday afternoon.

The Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, continues to face threats from illegal poaching, despite regular patrols and conservation efforts by the Forest Department.

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