Sources claim that about 15 spotted deer have been mercilessly killed in the mangrove forest in the last six months by local poachers who trap and kill the antelopes to earn fast money selling their venison, antlers and hide, they said.

Sources alleged that rampant poaching of deer has been going on in the forests of Kansardiha, Kharinashi and Sasana under Bhitarknaika National Park.

As per the information, these poachers belong to the coastal villages of Kharanashi, Kajalpatia, Badatota and Chapaligada. Most are illegal Bangla immigrants, settled in the Mahakalpada area with each poaching group comprising of six to seven persons.

According to the locals, the poaching is done either early in the morning or in the dead of the night. They sell venison at Rs 160-180 per kg. According to local environmentalists, poachers have evolved an easy way to catch deer as they venture into the river inlets, creeks and nullahs of Bhitarkanika on the pretext of collecting wood.

According to senior officials of Bhitarknaika, not a single local has brought the matter before them. They, however, admitted poaching might have occurred in the region under the Jamboo Forest Range as regular patrolling in the forest range is not done due to shortage of staff. They said they need infrastructure upgradation, including filling up of vacant posts, in order to curb the menace.

It may be noted that more than 25 posts of forest guards posts are lying vacant in the Rajanagar Mangrove (wildlife) Forest Division since 2004. The Bhitarknaika National Park is home to more than 5,000 spotted deer.