He said this while talking to journalists after a rally organized at Bangladesh National Zoo on the occasion of World Tiger Day on Tuesday (July 29).
The State Minister said, tigers are one of the most important wildlife in the world and an essential part of biodiversity. Once there were about one lakh tigers in the world, but now the number has decreased to about five thousand. This statistic proves that the existence of tigers is under serious threat today.
He said, “If effective measures and awareness among people are not taken now, tigers will face a bigger crisis in the future.”
Sultan Salahuddin Tuku informed that currently there are 124 tigers in the Sundarbans. Besides, there are about 15 tigers in Bangladesh National Zoo and about 50 tigers in various zoos across the country.
He said, “Tigers are our national asset. The government will continue necessary steps so that future generations can learn about this animal and realize the importance of conservation.”
In response to a journalist's question regarding the budget allocated for tiger census and related transparency, the State Minister said, the responsibility of tiger census lies with the Forest Department. It is not under the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock. However, the Forest Department conducts this activity transparently through its own process.
After the event, the State Minister inaugurated the souvenir shop of Bangladesh National Zoo.
At that time, Secretary of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock Md. Delwar Hossain, Director General of the Livestock Department Md. Shahjaman Khan, Director of Bangladesh National Zoo Dr. Md. Shahinur Alam, Curator Dr. Md. Habibur Rahman, Convener of Bangladesh Animal Welfare Association Adnan Azad, along with senior officials of the Ministry, Livestock Department, and National Zoo were present.
