Forest Department’s raid in East Sundarbans Jongra Canal area seized 4 boats and drying equipment
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The Forest Department has launched an operation against illegal encroachment and fishing with prohibited equipment in the protected forest areas of Sundarbans. During the operation, 4 dinghy boats and a large amount of tools for making dry lofts were seized. However, no one could be arrested as the miscreants fled after sensing the presence of the forest personnel.
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Chandpai Assistant Range Officer Md Mostakim Billah said on Wednesday 3rd (June) morning, as per the instructions of the Honorable State Minister for Forest and Environment, a group of forest guards went on a raid in the Jongra Canal area of Chandpai Range on Tuesday evening as part of the daily patrol. At approximately 6:15 PM, they observed the movement of 4 suspicious dinghy boats in the canal.
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Seeing the speedboats and boats of the forest department approaching, the occupants of the dinghy quickly changed direction and tried to escape. At one point, cornered, the miscreants left the boats on the banks of the river and fled into the darkness of the locality. Later, the forest guards searched the 4 abandoned dinghies and recovered a large quantity of bamboo, wood and other materials brought to the Sundarbans for illegal fishing and construction of drying lofts. The recovery of all the seized goods and 4 dinghies was completed by approximately 6:25 pm.
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Md Mostakim Billah, Assistant Officer of Chandpai Range, said that the criminal group left the boat and fled after sensing our presence. After searching the boats, we found equipment for fishing and drying in the Sundarbans. The impounded boats and goods are currently in office custody and legal action is being taken in this regard. Our continuous campaign to protect the resources of the Sundarbans will continue.”
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‎Note: There is a three-month ban in the Sundarbans from June 1. To protect the biodiversity and fish resources of the Sundarbans, the administration is taking a strict stand against any kind of illegal encroachment and fishing in the restricted area. Preparations are underway to identify the fugitive criminals and file a case against them under the Forest Act.