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Tiger Population in Sundarbans Rises to 125, Up 9.65%
Royal Bengal Tiger
In an exciting development for wildlife conservation, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, announced that a recent survey conducted between 2023 and 2024 revealed a total of 125 tigers in the Sundarbans. This marks an increase of 11 tigers since the last count in 2018, representing a 9.65% growth.
The survey reported a tiger density of 2.64 per 100 square kilometers, showing a notable rise from 2.55 in 2018 and a substantial increase from 2.17 in 2015. In 2015, the Sundarbans housed 106 tigers, which grew to 114 by 2018, reflecting an 8% increase.
Significantly, the latest survey recorded 21 tiger cubs, although they were not included in the official count due to high mortality rates at a young age. This is a marked improvement from previous surveys, which captured only five cubs on camera.
The tiger population assessment was based on a comprehensive analysis of images and data from the survey, which drew on expertise from researchers in India, New Zealand, and the United States. Spanning from January 2023 to March 2024, the survey deployed 1,210 cameras across 605 grids in the Sundarbans, operating for 318 days. Tigers were detected in 368 of these grids, resulting in over 7,297 images captured from more than one million photos and videos—a record-breaking number for the region.
Hasan celebrated the increase in tiger numbers as a significant achievement for Bangladesh, attributing it to the government's robust conservation efforts. These initiatives include designating 53.52% of the forest as protected areas, installing 60 kilometers of nylon fencing, constructing 12 shelters, offering compensation and rewards, and establishing 49 Village Tiger Response Teams. She urged for ongoing public cooperation to bolster these government initiatives.
The press briefing featured notable attendees, including Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry; Additional Secretary Iqbal Abdullah Harun; Chief Conservator of Forests Md. Amir Hossain Chowdhury; Professor M.A. Aziz from Jahangirnagar University; Khulna Regional Forest Conservator Mihir Kumar Dho; and Project Director Dr. Abu Naser Mohsin Hossain.
During the event, a video showcasing the tiger survey was presented, and the official report was released alongside a detailed PowerPoint presentation outlining the survey's methodology. Following the briefing, Hasan engaged with members of the Bangladesh Climate Change Journalists Forum to discuss pressing issues such as climate change, air pollution, and noise pollution control.