KHULNA: A day-long Forest Department raid in the Sundarbans led to the demolition of three illegal camps linked to suspected poison-based dried shrimp processing.
The operation, conducted by the Chandpai Range authorities from 7.30am to 7.30pm on July 30, targeted the Charaputia area under the Sundarbans East Forest Division, said Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) Rezaul Karim Chowdhury.
According to forest officials, the illegal camps were located at the mouths of Kaga Khal, Indurkani Khal and Chhoto Hormal Khal.
The first two had already been abandoned when officials arrived, but the third contained extensive evidence of shrimp processing.
Officials recovered two sacks of dried shrimp, about five maunds of fresh shrimp laid out for drying, two litres of suspected poison, two boats, two tona nets, three sacks of rice and other processing equipment, the DFO said.
The fresh shrimp emitted a strong smell of poison, prompting officials to destroy the entire haul on the spot to prevent it from reaching local markets, he added.
During the same operation, forest officials also seized a boat carrying 95 crab traps after those on board fled into the forest.
A case is being prepared over the incident.
"We will continue such drives to stop illegal activities inside the Sundarbans," Rezaul said.
Environmental campaigners said the raid exposed a wider problem.
"The use of poison is silently destroying the Sundarbans," said Noor Alam, coordinator of Sundarban Rokkhay Amra.
"The chemicals contaminate water, kill aquatic life and threaten the entire ecosystem. Unless enforcement is strengthened, these illegal activities will continue."
The discovery has also raised concern among consumers in nearby communities, where dried shrimp has become increasingly available in local markets.
"We never used to see dried shrimp being sold in our local markets," said Mehadi Hasan Khan, a student from Kachua upazila.
"Now it is available at Badal Bazar and other nearby markets. As buyers, we have no way of knowing whether the dried shrimp is poisonous," he added.
Conservationists warned that the use of toxic chemicals in shrimp processing adds another threat to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, already under pressure from illegal logging, wildlife poaching, unregulated fishing, climate change and habitat degradation. - The Dawn/ANN
