A senior official of the Sundarbans Forest Division (SFD) alleged that the rangers of 77 forest outposts are also not provided with adequate arms. There are only 200 obsolete rifles for the 36 forest outposts under the western wing, he added.

There is also a severe shortage of manpower as only three-four personnel can be assigned to guard each outpost, he said adding that they are also constantly threatened with attacks by groups of 20 or more pirates and criminals.

The modern equipment and arms of the pirates and criminals further intensify the threat, the SFD official said requesting anonymity.

Besides replacing the outdated arms, training for the guards is necessary if the government wants to save the resources in the Sundarbans, he said, as none of the 177 guards for the 77 outposts are trained well enough to face the pirates or criminals.