POBNEWS24, Dhaka Oct 8, 2024 : Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Syeda Rizwana Hasan said that 125 tigers were found in the National Animal Tiger Survey of Sundarbans in 2023-24. The density of tigers per 100 square kilometers is 2.64. Compared to 2018, the number of tigers increased by 11 in 2024. Tiger’s growth rate is 9.65 percent. Compared to 2015, this growth rate is 17.92 percent.
Adviser Rizwana Hasan, highlighting the survey data, said that in 2015, there were 106 tigers in the Sundarbans and the density was 2.17. In 2018, the number of tigers reached 114, and the density was 2.55. That year the number of tigers increased by 8 and the growth rate was about 8 percent.
She said 21 tiger cubs were photographed in the 2023-24 survey, but the number of cubs was not included, as the mortality rate of cubs at a young age is high. Only 5 cubs were found in 2015 and 2018.
Syeda Rizwana Hasan said that the number of tigers was determined by analyzing the pictures and data of the survey. Experts from India, New Zealand and USA were also consulted in this work. The survey began in January 2023 and ended in March 2024. 1 thousand 210 cameras were placed in 605 grids of Sundarbans for 318 days, out of which pictures of tigers were found in 368 grids. 7 thousand 297 images of tigers, which have never been found before, were collected from around 10 lakh pictures and videos.
Stating that the news of increase in tiger population is a joy for all of the country, she said, for tiger conservation, the government has announced 53.52 percent forest reserve, 60 km of nylon fencing, construction of 12 shelters, compensation and rewards and various activities including formation of 49 village tiger response teams. doing Government as well as common people need cooperation.
The secretary of the ministry was also present at the press briefing. Farhina Ahmed, Additional Secretary Iqbal Abdullah Haroon, Chief Conservator of Forests. Amir Hossain Chowdhury, Jahangir Nagar University Professor MA Aziz, Khulna Region Forest Conservator Mihir Kumar Do and project director Dr. Abu Nasser Mohsin Hossain and others.
