Illegal deer hunting has surged in the Sundarbans, threatening the delicate ecosystem of the world's largest mangrove forest.

Venison is now widely available in black markets in areas bordering the forest, including Koyra, Dacope, and Paikgachha in Khulna; Shyamnagar in Satkhira; and Mongla and Sarankhola in Bagerhat.

Despite laws prohibiting its sale and consumption, venison is being sold at Tk 450-600 per kg, significantly cheaper than beef or mutton.

The authorities' inaction, coupled with alleged collusion by corrupt forest officials, is exacerbating the crisis.

According to locals and law enforcers, many residents enter the forest legally to fish, but some set traps to hunt deer. Poachers, often disguised as fishermen, bribe officials to gain access.

Once inside, they set nylon traps along deer paths, slaughter the animals, and smuggle the meat to local and urban markets. In some cases, venison is mixed with beef or mutton to disguise its origin.

Law enforcement efforts have yielded limited results.

While deer meat, skins, and heads are occasionally recovered, the primary culprits -- poachers and smugglers -- often evade capture. Small vessels from India's Hemnagar and Kolkata ports, carrying raw materials for Bangladesh's cement industry, have also been implicated in smuggling venison.

On March 6 last year, locals apprehended four ship workers with deer meat at Koyra's Antihara market and handed them over to police, said Koyra Police Station Officer-in-Charge GM Emdadul Haq.

Forest officials estimate that over 55 poaching gangs operate in the region, including 30 in Koyra and 15 in Dacope. Some receive pre-orders for venison, while others sell it directly in markets.

Over the past three months, joint operations by police, Coast Guard, and the Forest Department have led to the seizure of 480kg of deer meat, one slaughtered deer, five deer hides, and several heads.

Five individuals were arrested, and multiple boats were confiscated. Eight cases were filed with Koyra Police Station.

In November, forest officials detained 20 poachers from Dhakkhindhi in the East Sundarbans. However, Assistant Conservator of Forests in Satkhira Range Md Moshiur Rahman acknowledged the difficulty of eradicating poaching entirely.

The Sundarbans' spotted deer population has risen to 140,357 in 2024, up from 83,000 in 2004, making them easier prey for poachers.

Anwarul Kadir, executive director of Sundarban Academy, warned that wildlife populations are already at risk due to climate change and habitat destruction, and human greed is pushing them towards extinction.

West Sundarbans Divisional Forest Officer AZM Hasanur Rahman said forest rangers operate under high-risk conditions to combat poaching.

"We have announced cash rewards of Tk 10,000-20,000 for information on poachers. A list of suspects, including buyers and facilitators, is being compiled, and legal action will be taken," he said.

Meanwhile, Sundarbans Day is being observed today to raise awareness about protecting the forest and its wildlife.

Khulna and Satkhira district administrations, along with local social organisations, have organised various programmes to mark the occasion.