Three fishermen were held on Saturday for illegally entering the Supati conserved area of the Sundarbans and spreading pesticide in the canal for catching fish.
The arrestees were identified as Sajedul Islam, 33, Ripon Hawladar, 35,and Jafar Talukdar, 38, all from Sharankhola upazila.
The arrests were made during a drive of the smart patrol team of the Forest Department from Sundarbans west division.
During the drive a boat, 20 kg shrimp and a bottle of pesticide was seized from their possession, said Sundarbans west divisional forest officer (DFO) Muhammad Belayet Hossain.
A case was filed against the arrestees under the Forest Act, he said.
Besides, on Friday night nine fishermen were held for illegally entering the forest in six trawlers, said the official.
The nine fishermen were released after confessing their crime and paying Tk 1.6 lakh as fine, he said.
The money was submitted in government treasury, said the DFO.
Source: United News of Bangladesh