Poachers roam free with impunity

The deer population was earlier seen as rising in the Bangladesh part of the Sunderbans, because of some preventive actions that we had seen against killing of deer. But their illegal hunting has reportedly started afresh. This is causing fresh concern. Both deer meat or venison and skin are coveted for the taste and sale value respectively. Most of the time the poachers look for opportunities to roam free and hunt for the deer with ease. Not only deer, other animals such as alligators are reportedly being similarly poached in the Bangladesh side of the Sunderbans. The unique biodiversity or wildlife in one of the prized forest of the world is facing a threat, as a result of such activities by the poachers with a high degree of impunity. Hunting and fishing outside the reserved forest areas are not prohibited, though there are laws against excessive fishing, catching of fish fries and killing of migratory birds. But hardly such restrictions are observed. But it is really shocking that poaching activities are being allowed to be carried out easily in the prime reserve forest area of the county for the reason of lax enforcement of many existing rules and regulations and relevant sections of law. Preservation of wildlife and biodiversity is now a worldwide quest, shared by all or nearly all countries of the world. Bangladesh is also a signatory to international conventions to this end. This country should under no circumstances make it a happy hunting ground for the poachers. Munira Hossein Baridhara, Dhaka