A mobile court in Patuakhali on Sunday night fined a fish trader named Sohel Hawlader Tk 30,000 for being involved in selling endangered Sundhi turtle.
Four Sundhi turtle was recovered from him at that time. The turtles were released in Lohalia River later.
The incident occurred on Sunday night at the launch terminal area in Patuakhali municipality. The mobile court was conducted by Patuakhali sadar upazila Assistant Commissioner (Land) and Executive Magistrate Chandan Kar.
AC Land Chandan Kar said that according to the Wildlife Conservation and Security Act of 2012, capturing and trading wildlife, including turtles, is a punishable offense. Md Sohel Hawlader had long been accused of engaging in the illegal trade of turtles. Therefore, he was fined Tk 30,000 under the Wildlife Conservation and Security Act of 2012 for the offense of trading turtles.
Local sources reported that around 9:00pm, the mobile court raided the Messrs. Nabila Fish Depot and rescued four Sundhi turtles intended for sale. The turtles, which are listed as endangered under Bangladesh's wildlife laws, were later released into the Lohalia River, as confirmed by Asadullah Hasan Musa, a member of the local wildlife welfare organization Animal Lover of Patuakhali.
