Bangladesh’s forest department intercepted a truck carrying 7,500kg of snails and mussels illegally taken from the Sundarbans, highlighting ongoing efforts to protect the mangrove ecosystem.
Bangladesh’s forest department has seized 7,500 kilograms of snails and mussels illegally collected from the Sundarbans mangrove forest, officials said.
The haul was recovered late at night on February 1 when forest officers, assisted by police, stopped a truck at Clinic Mor in Ishwaripur union of Shyamnagar upazila. A total of 213 sacks of snails and mussels weighing about 7,500 kg were found in the vehicle.
The truck used to transport the catch was also seized. The confiscated snails and mussels were released back into the Sundarbans rivers on Monday, February 2, in the presence of officials.
Forest department sources said the operation was launched following a tip-off. Suspected traffickers fled the scene after learning about the raid.
Md Fazlul Haque, assistant range officer of the Satkhira Range, said the collection of snails and mussels from the Sundarbans is completely banned as they play a vital role in maintaining the forest’s ecological balance.
Efforts are underway to identify those involved in the illegal harvesting and trafficking and bring them to justice. Acting on an order from the forest court, the seized 7,500 kg of snails and mussels were released into protected areas of the Sundarbans, officials said.
