Tiger population in Sundarbans rises by 19 in a decade

The population of Royal Bengal Tigers in the Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, has increased by 19 over the past decade. According to the Forest Department's latest camera-trapping survey, the number of tigers in the Sundarbans reached 124 in 2024, up from 106 recorded in the 2014 survey.

Marking International Tiger Day on Wednesday (July 29), a rally was organised at the Bangladesh National Zoo. Speaking to reporters after the event, State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku stressed the importance of raising public awareness and fostering a conservation mindset among the younger generation to protect the species.

The State Minister said that there are currently 124 tigers in the Sundarbans, while the Bangladesh National Zoo houses around 15 tigers. An additional 50 tigers are being kept in various zoos across the country.

"If we fail to take effective measures and raise public awareness now, this species could face even greater threats in the future," he said.
Calling the tiger a national treasure, Tuku said the government would continue taking necessary conservation measures to ensure that future generations can learn about the species and understand the importance of protecting it.

Responding to questions regarding the budget allocated for tiger censuses and transparency in the counting process, the State Minister said that tiger population surveys fall under the jurisdiction of the Forest Department, not the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.

"However, the Forest Department conducts these surveys through its own established procedures while maintaining transparency," he added.

Also present at the event were Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Md Delwar Hossain, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services Md Shahjaman Khan, Director of the Bangladesh National Zoo Dr Md Shahinur Alam, Zoo Curator Dr Md Habibur Rahman, Convener of the Bangladesh Animal Welfare Association Adnan Azad, along with senior officials from the ministry, the Department of Livestock Services, and the Bangladesh National Zoo.