THE killing of six alleged tiger poachers in “gunfight” with police in the Sundarbans on Sunday established the fact that the rapid depletion of the Royal Bengal Tigers in the Bangladesh part of the world’s largest mangrove forest is happening mainly due to indiscriminate killing. But what appears quite disappointing to many is why the Koyra Police in Satkhira district; which raided the poachers’ hideout in the forest killed them. Because their arrest could have effectively helped the law enforcers to collect detailed information on the poachers’ gangs; who are now engaging in the lucrative trade in tigers’ skin and bones to supply the global markets. Needless to say, gunfights are eliminating many accused before producing them in the court to know the truth if they are criminals or not. The killing of the poachers has also left the big people behind the trade unidentified and probably untouched. The latest report said the number of Royal Bengal Tigers in the Bangladesh part of the Sundarbans has already dwindled to 106 from 440 only four years ago. It is really shocking and the circumstances suggest that the government is not taking effective measures to protect the tigers from poachers and make their sanctuaries safe in the forest. Police is for protecting life and saving evidence. They must take the professional responsibility.The report said in the sideline of the raid on the poachers, police recovered three tigers’ skin from the possession of two persons as they were carrying them to an unknown destination. They also recovered their bones and teeth. The confirmation by the media reports that the killings of the tigers were carried out six to seven days ago suggests that the Sundarbans remains more unprotected now than any time before. Reports also suggest at least seven to eight such deliveries were recovered during the past three years and over 12 to 14 tigers were killed in those incidents. In a separate incident Forest Department officials reported capture of two suspected tiger poachers on Sunday. As it appears the elimination of the Royal Bengal Tigers is going on unabated. Some reports also said coastal robber gangs taking shelter in the Sundarbans are turning their guns on the tigers in recent years as a new source of earning. Fishermen and other foresters have also joined hands with the poachers making it a joint effort to make illegal fortune. It may be mentioned that The New Nation carried an editorial recently expressing grave concern over the rapid depletion of the Royal Bengal Tigers stock in the Sundarbans highlighting the need for effective measures to protect the tigers and give them safe sanctuary to increase their population. The presence of poachers in the forest and frequent killing of tigers are now adding more alarm about the safety of the rare species.
