Today, Wednesday (July 29), the Environment Minister said these words as the chief guest at a discussion event organized on the occasion of World Tiger Day 2026. This year's World Tiger Day theme is—‘Let everyone be aware, let's conserve tigers’.
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Government committed to protecting Sundarbans tigers and habitat: Environment Minister Abdul Awal Mintu
The Environment Minister said, the tiger is Bangladesh's national animal and the natural guardian of the Sundarbans. As a ‘keystone species’, it plays a vital role in maintaining the forest's food chain and ecological balance. Therefore, tiger conservation is not just about protecting one animal; it involves the protection of other animals of the Sundarbans, forest resources, food, breeding grounds, and the overall ecosystem.
He said, the government recently formed a 10-member commission to protect the safe habitat of wildlife and resolve human-wildlife conflicts. The commission will work to take effective measures to increase the number of Bengal tigers in the Sundarbans, recover illegally occupied forest land, and raise awareness among the communities living near the forest.
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The Environment Minister said, due to the government's sincerity, the relentless efforts of the Forest Department, and the cooperation of local communities, the number of tigers in the Sundarbans is gradually increasing. Camera trapping surveys found 106 tigers in the Sundarbans in 2015, 114 in 2018, and 125 in 2024. Village Tiger Response Teams, Community Patrolling Groups, and local forest-dependent communities are playing an important role in tiger conservation.
He also said, the government is following a ‘zero tolerance’ policy against the trafficking of tigers and tiger parts or trophies. The Wildlife Crime Control Unit and the Wildlife Management and Nature Conservation Divisions will be made more active in suppressing wildlife crimes. A financial reward system of Tk 25,000 to Tk 50,000 has also been arranged for informants providing information on tiger-related crimes.
The special guest at the event, Deputy Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Sheikh Faridul Islam, MP, said, the tiger is a symbol of our courage and heritage. Protected areas have been increased to protect the Sundarbans tigers. 80 ponds have been dug in the Sundarbans to increase access to fresh water for tigers, and 20 mounds have been created for resting.
The Deputy Minister further said, the Honourable Prime Minister has given instructions to take necessary steps to protect biodiversity. Fences made of nylon nets have been erected to separate the forest from human settlements. As a result, tigers are no longer entering human habitats.
Dr. Fahmida Khanom, Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said, the importance of tigers in controlling the food chain of the Sundarbans is immense. To create a safe habitat for tigers, it is essential to develop sustainable tourism. Therefore, it is also necessary to consider controlling the number of tourists in the Sundarbans.
The event was presided over by Chief Forest Conservator Md. Amir Hossain Chowdhury. Thematic presentations were given by Professor Dr. M A Aziz from the Department of Zoology at Jahangirnagar University and Khulna Regional Forest Conservator Imran Ahmed.
Dr. Md. Anwarul Islam, CEO of WildTeam, and Bipasha S Hossain, Country Representative of IUCN Bangladesh, participated in the discussion. Officials from the ministry and Forest Department, and journalists from electronic, print, and online media were present at the event.