United News of Bangladesh

Cracks running across the walls, rainwater seeping through the roof and chunks of plaster peeling away have become part of daily life at the Sylhet Leprosy Hospital, raising growing concerns about patient safety and the quality of care. The 135-year-old hospital, one of only three specialised government leprosy facilities in Bangladesh, is now in a visibly dilapidated state. Visits to the hospital showed that toilets without doors, dirty bathrooms and broken medical equipment have left patients and staff worried that treatment inside the building has become increasingly risky. Established in 1890, the hospital sits on 4.72 acres of land and has an official capacity of 80 beds, though only 48 are currently usable. According to hospital records, 19 patients were admitted to its three wards on January 24, while an average of 15 to 20 people seek treatment daily at the outpatient department (OPD). 250-bed Khulna hospital project withdrawn from PPP list During a recent visit, all three patient toilets were found without doors, televisions in the wards were broken, and cracks were visible in several parts of the building. Staff told the UNB correspondent that the situation worsens during the rainy season. “Rainwater enters through the roof when it rains, creating panic among both patients and employees,” said Md Monirul Islam, the hospital’s statistical officer. He also pointed out a rise in the number of identified leprosy patients in the Sylhet region in recent years. “There were 20 patients in 2020, 37 in 2021, 35 in 2022, 79 in 2023, 58 in 2024 and 58 so far in 2025.” Doctors at the hospital explained that leprosy is mildly contagious and spreads through germs transmitted by sneezing and coughing. Early symptoms include light-coloured or reddish patches on the skin that do not itch, sweat or grow hair. Other warning signs include painless lumps on the face, neck, chest or back, swelling of the earlobes, and loss of sensation in the hands, feet or eyes. Sylhet Deputy Civil Surgeon Janmejoy Dutta said the higher number of detected cases does not necessarily indicate a wider spread of the disease. “Earlier, many cases were not identified. Now awareness has increased, and people are coming forward for treatment.” He said the Health Department aims to eliminate leprosy by 2030, with both government and non-government organisations working together towards that goal. Hospital officials say the building’s condition has been deteriorating for decades. “A single floor was added to the original structure in 1963, and later a three-storey building was constructed gradually. The building is very old and in extremely poor condition. We have informed the authorities several times, but no action has been taken,” Monirul Islam alleged. Staff fears are echoed by patients. “It is a very dangerous building. A major accident could happen at any time,” warned Sabbir Ahmed, a head assistant at the hospital, noting that plaster often falls from the walls during the rainy season. A 70-year-old patient, who wished to remain anonymous, said, “My hands have deteriorated. I had to do all the tests outside because there is no proper system here.” Another patient, aged 65, who has been admitted weeks back, said, “The doctor comes only once a day. Staying in the building is frightening. Something could fall at any moment.” Outpatient Akhter Hossain said patients waiting for treatment constantly fear debris falling from the ceiling. The hospital is also struggling with acute staff shortages. Only 29 staff members are currently working against an approved strength of 50. A post for making special shoes for leprosy patients has remained vacant since 2021. A cleaner said the shortage has had a visible impact. “Earlier, even six cleaners were not enough. Now only four of us are working,” he said. Another staff member said all patient testing has stopped due to a lack of manpower, while most medical equipment remains unusable. Junior Consultant Dr Nahid Rahman described the situation as deeply concerning. “Sylhet Leprosy Hospital is the largest of its kind in Bangladesh, but its condition is extremely poor. We have repeatedly informed higher authorities, but no steps have been taken,” he lamented.    

Along the restless banks of the Kushiyara River in Sunamganj’s Jagannathpur upazila, a vital road is fighting a losing battle against erosion, leaving thousands of residents anxious as commuters risking their lives every day. The Jagannathpur-Barafechi road, once wide enough to accommodate steady traffic, has been reduced to a narrow strip hanging precariously over the riverbank.  With sections of the earth beneath it already eaten away, the road now teeters on the edge of collapse, creating constant tension among people living in nearby villages. During a recent visit to the area, riverbank protection work was seen underway near Barafechi Bazar, where concrete blocks are being placed in an effort to halt erosion.  But the situation remains grim just west of the project area, where the river has already bitten deeply into the land, leaving the roadway dangerously narrow. Illegal topsoil extraction threatens ‘Gaillar Haor’, croplands in Sunamganj The affected stretch serves as the only communication link between several localities and the Jagannathpur upazila headquarters.  Any disruption, residents fear, would completely sever transport and isolate communities from essential services, locals said. They said the threat feels immediate and unavoidable. Rahmat Ali, a resident of the upazila, warned that if the hanging portion of the road collapses into the river, people in the area will face severe hardship.  They urged the authorities to take urgent measures to protect the road before it is washed away entirely. For drivers, the danger is a daily reality. Expressing concern, Amin Uddin, a local driver, said they are compelled to use the road despite knowing the risks. “We know the road could fall into the river at any moment. But we have no choice. To earn a living and reach our destinations, we are risking our lives,” he said. Officials say efforts are underway, even if they are not immediately visible to passers-by. Contacted, Sheikh Farid, Jagannathpur upazila officer of the Water Development Board, said erosion protection work is also being carried out along the affected section. After flood, Boro season unfolds in Sunamganj He added that geo-textile bags filled with soil are being dumped into the riverbed as part of deep dumping operations aimed at stabilising the bank. According to him, progress has slowed due to a shortage of sand and soil. However, an erosion control project is expected to be completed within the current year. “Once the work is finished, the road will no longer be at risk,” he said.

Widespread misinformation surrounding Saint Martin’s, Bangladesh’s only coral island, has triggered public confusion, with officials dismissing claims that the island is being handed over to a foreign power or converted into a military base. For months, misleading posts, videos and political statements circulating on social media have alleged foreign control or militarisation of the island. Edited images of warships, old videos from joint military drills and night-time visuals showing fire or light have been falsely portrayed as evidence of foreign military activity. Authorities say these claims are entirely baseless and unsupported by facts. The speculation escalated following the government’s restriction on tourism to protect Saint Martin’s fragile environment and biodiversity. How to Visit Saint Martin’s Island in Tourist Season 2025-26 Officer-in-Charge (OIC) of the Navy’s forward base on the island, said,”Saint Martin’s has an estimated population of around 11,000. Alongside the Navy, the Coast Guard, BGB and police are responsible for security here. There is a lot of propaganda suggesting the island is being taken over by another country. These claims rely on edited images or videos, often taken from joint exercises conducted with foreign navies,” he said.

What started as an experiment in a single pond in Naogaon is emerging as a model for rural innovation, showing how careful management and mixed farming methods can redefine livelihoods in Bangladesh’s remote districts. Traditionally known for carp and other freshwater fish, Naogaon is witnessing the first successful cultivation of giant freshwater shrimp, or galda chingri, a species mostly farmed in Khulna, in the district’s ponds. Raju Sardar, a student and fish farmer in Dighirpar village of Sadar upazila, has drawn attention by integrating galda with carp species in his pond. His approach, combining careful water monitoring, balanced feeding and regular pond maintenance, has encouraged other farmers to explore the high-value species. Since Raju began the initiative, at least 30 to 40 farmers in and around the area have started cultivating galda shrimp using the mixed farming method. Raju, who has long practised carp polyculture, said conventional methods yielded limited profits, prompting him to explore alternatives. In June last year, he joined a demonstration programme titled ‘Giant freshwater shrimps farming under improved management’ conducted by a local development organisation’s agriculture unit. He initially received 500 galda fry through the program and, undeterred by scepticism from others, invested in an additional 1,000 fry. The integrated farming approach proved successful: within months, shrimps grew rapidly, with each kilogram now containing only seven to eight shrimps, a benchmark for freshwater cultivation. Raju projects a harvest of 120 to 130 kilograms of galda shrimps, which could fetch between Tk 1.20 lakh and Tk 1.40 lakh at market rates of Tk 800–1,000 per kilogram. When combined with carp production, the mixed system nearly doubles income from the same pond. Workshop renews push for dedicated aquaculture policy Local fish farmer Saiful Islam said the initiative has shifted perceptions. “We never imagined that a species mostly farmed in Khulna could thrive in Naogaon. Raju’s pond has become a live training centre for farmers,” he said. Farmers, encouraged by the market demand and prices, are now planning to expand shrimp cultivation. Md Shahriar Hossain, Fisheries Officer at the development organisation’s agriculture unit, said the initiative is part of efforts to modernise the fisheries sector by introducing profitable species with low investment. “Galda farming has been introduced in Naogaon for the first time. Its success has sparked interest in mixed farming, which has proven highly profitable,” he said. Dr Md Bayezid Alam, Senior Fisheries Officer of Naogaon Sadar Upazila, described freshwater galda farming as a new chapter for the district’s fisheries sector. “With proper management, galda can be cultivated even in small ponds. Wider adoption could boost employment, increase fish production, and strengthen the local economy,” he said, adding that training and technical support will be provided to interested farmers. Raju Sardar’s success underscores the potential of innovative aquaculture in reshaping rural economies beyond Bangladesh’s traditional coastal hubs, he said.

The government is set to establish a new Broadcast Commission to streamline the operations of various broadcasting entities, set standards and curb irregularities. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has prepared the draft Broadcast Commission Ordinance-2026, which proposes strict penalties for violations, including up to three years’ imprisonment and fines of up to Tk 50 lakh. The draft is currently open for consultation with all relevant stakeholders. Under the draft ordinance, terrestrial, satellite and cable television, radio, IPTV, DTH (Direct-to-Home), FM and community radio, OTT, streaming and Video-on-Demand (VOD) platforms will fall under the Commission’s remit. Commercial online infotainment portals, apps and video streaming activities are also included, while personal social media posts and amateur content remain outside its scope. The draft stipulates severe punishments for operating broadcasting services without a licence or Commission approval, disobeying government directives, disseminating classified military or civilian information, airing unapproved or misleading advertisements, and using images of state-protected important sites in commercial content. Violators operating without a licence, or without prior Commission recommendation, could face a maximum of three years’ imprisonment or fines ranging from Tk 10 lakh to Tk 50 lakh, or both. Non-compliance with government directives on national interest or public welfare may result in a fine of up to Tk 50,000. Importing broadcasting equipment without official clearance may attract up to three years in jail or fines between Tk 5 lakh and Tk 20 lakh. Broadcasting sensitive military or civilian information that could threaten national security, public safety, or public order carries up to two years’ imprisonment or fines ranging from Tk 1 lakh to Tk 10 lakh. The draft also addresses the broadcasting of advertisements for unlicensed financial institutions, gambling, tobacco, alcohol, or misleading content, prescribing up to two years’ imprisonment or fines of Tk 5 lakh to Tk 30 lakh. The use of imagery of state-protected sites such as the National Parliament, Prime Minister’s Office, President’s Office, secretariat, courts, military barracks, or KPI-affiliated establishments may result in up to six months in jail or fines up to Tk 2 lakh. All fines will be recoverable under the Public Demand Recovery Act-1913. To adjudicate offences under the ordinance, one or more Broadcast Tribunals will be established. Each tribunal will comprise a district or sessions judge, with directives to resolve cases within 90 working days of filing. The formation of the Broadcast Commission will be overseen by a selection committee. Based on its recommendations, the government will appoint a chairman and four commissioners. At least one commissioner must be female. Commission members will be prohibited from holding profit-making positions or engaging in media-related businesses. Interim government’s role more complex than ever: Planning Adviser The draft ordinance assigns the Commission responsibilities including recommending broadcasting licences to the government, formulating codes of conduct and policies, overseeing broadcast operations, and resolving viewer and listener complaints. It will coordinate with BTRC on technical matters and has the authority to impose fines, issue corrective directives, or revoke license, if necessary. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting has announced that comments on the draft ordinance will be accepted until 31 January 2026.

Amid winter, the sweet aroma of date palm molasses continues to define Jhenaidah’s rural economy, and it is now reaching dining tables not only at home but also thousands of miles away in Europe and America. Due to the favourable weather, date palm sap collectors in Jhenaidah are witnessing a bumper season of molasses production this winter, surpassing official targets and opening new export avenues in Europe and America. Traditional date palm collectors, known as ‘Gachhi’, have begun large-scale production of date palm molasses. The increased output has boosted trading in local markets, while demand has also surged online. Producers say the quality of molasses is better than previous years, enabling them to secure higher prices. Boro cultivation in Narail gains full momentum under sunny skies According to the Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE), Jhenaidah, the district has 1,42,235 date palm trees in six upazilas, of which around 1,12,760 are suitable for sap extraction. DAE set a production target of about 48.14 lakh litres of date palm sap and 872 metric tonnes of molasses. Officials say the molasses produced in Jhenaidah is meeting local demand and is being supplied to Dhaka as well as exported to Europe and the United States through expatriate networks. Abdur Rashid, a molasses producer from Bankira village in Sadar upazila, said he sends molasses to Canada every year. “An expatriate from our village, Abdullah Al Mamun, regularly buys molasses from me. One bhar (traditional unit) of molasses sells for between Tk 1,300 and Tk 1,800 depending on quality,” he said. Saiful Islam from Krishnapur village said his elder brother lives in the United States and molasses from their village is sent there annually to meet demand among Bangladeshi expatriates. Mahir Uddin, a gachhi in Kotchandpur upazila, said most local producers bring their molasses to Safdarpur market, which is known for maintaining quality. “Adulterated molasses is rare here. Because of the good quality, traders from outside areas come to buy molasses from this market,” he said. A pair of molasses pots sells for around Tk 3,000 in the market, he added. The growing popularity of online sales has also added a new dimension to the trade. Ainunnahar Afsari, a woman entrepreneur from Beparipara area of Jhenaidah district town, said she sells molasses online to customers across the country. She purchased jaggery at Tk 260 per kilogram from gachhi Bablu Rahman of Bangkira village in the Sadar Upazila and sells it outside at a profit. Abul Kashem Babu, a leaseholder of Safdarpur molasses market, said the number of date palm trees in the region has declined over the years, though new saplings are growing naturally. “If the government takes initiatives to preserve the tradition of date palm molasses, the gachies will survive,” he said, adding that farmers earn a decent income by selling sap and molasses during winter. Illegal topsoil extraction threatens ‘Gaillar Haor’, croplands in Sunamganj The Safdarpur market, serving 34–40-year-old traders, operates twice a week—on Saturdays and Tuesdays—and handles weekly transactions worth Tk 7–8 crore, he said. If government support is provided, jaggery production is expected to rise, which could further contribute to the country's economy, he added. Md Kamruzzaman, Deputy Director of DAE, said the district has already surpassed its molasses production target this year, thanks to the intense cold and favourable weather conditions. Molasses is sold in 197 markets across the district, both large and small, with weekly sales reaching Tk 50 crore over just two days.

After weeks of cold and fog, bright sunshine has returned to Narail, breathing new energy into the district’s Boro paddy fields. Farmers are now working from dawn to dusk, transplanting seedlings across the region in what has become a season of full swing for Boro cultivation. Favourable weather conditions over the past two weeks have created an ideal environment for farming. According to local growers, there is currently no shortage of seedlings, fertiliser, or irrigation facilities, making this the smoothest peak Boro season in recent years. The Department of Agricultural Extension (DAE) reports that Boro paddy is being cultivated on a record-breaking area this season, surpassing the past three years. Farmers recalled early-season challenges when persistent cold and dense fog had delayed transplantation. However, the recent sunny spell has rejuvenated fields and spirits alike, encouraging farmers to accelerate planting. Ibrahim Sheikh of Chougachha village in Sadar upazila said he is transplanting Boro seedlings on 180 decimals of land, noting that there is no shortage of seedlings. Another local farmer, Ataur Rahman, has cultivated three acres of Boro paddy and described the current weather as ‘very favourable’. Tk 1,300cr GK irrigation rehabilitation project aims to revive southwest agriculture Seventy-five-year-old Badsha Sheikh is preparing his land by ploughing and leveling before transplantation, while Mohammad Murad noted that power tillers have largely replaced cattle for land preparation, reducing both time and costs. Sagar Sheikh, cultivating the high-yielding Rod Miniket variety on 135 decimals of land, highlighted its good yield, market price, and quality straw as reasons for his choice. Farmers across Narail confirmed that fertilizers, pesticides, and electricity-powered irrigation facilities are available in sufficient quantities, and that hardly any cultivable land is being left fallow this season. “If the weather remains favourable and input supplies continue until the end of the season, we are hopeful for a good harvest,” said a local grower. Deputy Director of DAE, Narail, Muhammad Arifur Rahman, said that a target has been set to cultivate Boro paddy on 50,297 hectares in the 2025–26 season. In comparison, cultivation covered 50,280 hectares in 2024–25 and 50,230 hectares in 2023–24. Over the last three years, Boro cultivation has increased by 67 hectares. Illegal topsoil extraction threatens ‘Gaillar Haor’, croplands in Sunamganj This year, seedbeds have been prepared on 2,635 hectares, of which about 60 percent are standard seedbeds, further indicating there is no shortage of seedlings, Arif added. With favourable weather and adequate resources, Narail’s farmers are poised for a productive Boro season, continuing the district’s steady rise in paddy cultivation, he said.

For the first time in Bangladesh’s electoral history, a national election campaign is unfolding without the familiar clutter of posters on walls, electric poles and roadside trees, marking a striking departure from the visual chaos that traditionally signals the onset of election season. Streets that once announced the arrival of polls through layers of colourful faces, slogans and party symbols now appear unusually bare, altering not only the cityscape but also the mood and rhythm of campaigning ahead of the 13th parliamentary election. The dramatic shift follows the Election Commission’s decision to ban all forms of posters under the revised electoral code, a move aimed at curbing environmental damage and visual pollution that has long accompanied electioneering across the country. While the decision has drawn praise from environmentalists and urban residents for restoring cleaner public spaces, it has also sparked confusion among voters accustomed to identifying candidates through posters and dealt a severe blow to the country’s printing industry, which traditionally relies heavily on election-time orders. A Silent Campaign Traditionally, a festive atmosphere is created with the beginning of the election campaign which is largely absent this year. With posters, loud mike announcements and other overt campaign tools restricted, many voters say the election atmosphere feels distant—almost unfamiliar. “Without posters, it doesn’t even feel like a national election,” said Ruhul Amin, a resident of New Market area in Dhaka. From posters to punchlines: How Bangladesh’s politics got 'Meme-ified' “Posters and festoons were a common feature. Now, people who don’t actively follow politics or media are struggling to recognise the candidates,” he said. Campaigning officially began just after midnight on January 21 and will continue until 7:30am on February 10. Yet, four days into the campaign, most areas in the capital remained virtually unchanged. Printing Presses Fall Silent If the streets appear quiet, the silence is even louder inside printing presses. At Fakirapool and Banglabazar—two hubs of Dhaka’s printing industry—machines that would normally be running round the clock during election season are idle. Owners say they have not received any order due to the restriction. “Usually, elections mean business worth several crores of taka. This time, it’s zero. We’ve already bought paper worth lakhs expecting orders that never came,” said a printing press owner at Banglabazar requesting anonymity. “ What New Rules Say The Election Commission amended the electoral code and issued a gazette on November 10 last year imposing a ban on the use of posters and the misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) and social media in election campaigns. According to the new code of conduct, no one also can carry out election campaigns in religious places of worship like mosques, temples, pagodas and churches as well as the government offices or educational institutions. Candidates may still distribute leaflets, handbills and use festoons or billboards but with strict conditions. In party campaigns, only the party chief’s photograph may be displayed, no other leader or candidate can appear in visuals. The new code also tightens controls on technology and noise. The use of drones and quadcopters for campaigning has been fully banned. Helicopters may be used only by party general secretaries or equivalent leaders but dropping leaflets from the air is prohibited. Election campaign: Code of conduct published in gazette, banning posters-drones, AI-social media misuse Microphone use is allowed only between 2 pm and 8 pm with sound levels capped at 60 decibels. Besides, slips cannot be distributed within 180 metres of a polling centre and must not exceed 12cm by 8cm in size. The slips cannot contain the candidate’s name, photograph, position or electoral symbol. Voters Divided Shafiqul Islam, a resident of Bashundhara residential area, said he is mostly learning about the election through television. “I haven’t seen the usual posters or mike announcements. The campaign feels less lively.”  “Poster-free elections are good in one way. The city stays clean. But since this is the first time, it feels different. I’m relying on the news media to know who belongs to which party,” said Naim, a resident of Banasree area. While urban voters may adapt through digital and media platforms, less-connected or less-engaged voters could find it harder to identify candidates, especially independents, said another voter of Malibagh area. Election Commission Secretary Akhtar Ahmed said the decision was taken after consulting political parties. “We sought opinions from all political parties. Only one party opposed the ban while the majority supported it,” he told UNB. He said that environmental concerns played a key role.  “There were strong objections from environmentalists and the Ministry of Environment. Considering those concerns and the views of most parties, posters were banned.”

As Bangladesh prepares for the February 12 general election and referendum, the Election Commission’s newly introduced IT-supported hybrid postal balloting system has raised hopes for voters away from their constituencies, but journalists covering polls outside their home areas are once again set to miss the opportunity to vote. Following three consecutive controversial elections, the Election Commission has, for the first time, introduced postal voting for expatriate Bangladeshis and selected groups within the country. The system applies to government officials, bankers, officials engaged in election duties and voters in legal custody who cannot stay in their constituencies on polling day. Journalists, however, have been excluded from the arrangement, despite being professionally deployed across districts to cover the election, a role widely recognised as essential to the democratic process. As a result, a significant number of media professionals are likely to remain unable to cast their votes in the upcoming polls, continuing a pattern that has persisted for years. According to a briefing by Chief Adviser’s Press Secretary Shafiqul Alam, the postal voting initiative has received an unprecedented response. A total of 1,533,682 voters registered through the Postal BD app, including 761,140 domestic voters who will be on duty or away from their constituencies on election day, alongside 772,542 expatriate voters. Journalists working outside their registered constituencies argue that the facility should not be limited to specific professions. They say postal voting ought to be extended to all voters compelled by professional obligations to remain away from their home areas, particularly media workers, who play a critical role during elections. Kaler Kantho Editor Hasan Hafiz, who is also the Jatiya Press Club President, said that the government’s introduction of a new postal ballot system is a commendable initiative, but journalists should have been included. “Journalists are, in a sense, expatriates within their own country. When others assigned election-day duties are given the opportunity, why are journalists treated in such a discriminatory manner?” he said. Hasan Hafiz also noted that journalists perform their election duties at considerable risk and therefore should have been given priority. “We strongly demand this. There is still time, and we urge the authorities to consider the matter,” he added. Dhaka Reporters’ Unity (DRU) President Abu Saleh Akon said, “Journalists have to cover assignments on election day, and those who work outside their own areas would not have the opportunity to vote. With the new postal ballot system, it should be accessible to us. We urge the government to consider this.” Secretary of the Dhaka Union of Journalists (DUJ) Khurshid Alam expressed concern over the exclusion, stating, “After the July uprising, this is a form of discrimination against journalists. As members of the fourth estate, have journalists committed any wrongdoing? While performing our professional duties for the country and the people, we are being deprived of the opportunity to vote. If others can vote, journalists must be given the same opportunity, and the government should take all necessary efforts to ensure this.” Similar concerns were echoed outside the capital. Khulna Press Club Convener and Daily Ittefaq’s Khulna Bureau Chief Enamul Haque said almost all journalists in Khulna remain engaged in professional duties on election day. “As a result, voters who are registered outside their constituencies will not be able to exercise their voting rights even if they want to. The government should take the matter seriously. The issue has already been raised with the regional election office,” he said. In Chattogram, Press Club President and regional chief of Daily Amar Desh Zahidul Karim said the Election Commission could have included genuine journalists working outside their constituencies under the postal voting system. The Election Commission had earlier indicated that arrangements might be made for journalists to vote through postal ballots. However, it later said that the issue would be considered at a later stage. Election Commissioner Abdur Rahmanel Masud told UNB that if the newly introduced IT-supported postal balloting system proves successful in the February 12 national election and referendum, the Commission would consider extending the facility to journalists and other such communities. “If it is successful, it will be extended further. Then we’ll consider including journalists and others because many problems may surface with this system,” he said. Free, fearless media vital to Bangladesh democracy: Journalists Rahmanel Masud also noted that if public opinion favours the proxy balloting system currently used for expatriates, the Election Commission may consider introducing proxy balloting alongside the postal system in the future. For now, however, journalists covering the polls across Bangladesh remain on the sidelines of the ballot -- reporting on democracy while being unable to participate in it themselves.

The recent rescue of a Royal Bengal Tiger after it was caught in a deer snare has once again drawn attention to rampant poaching and the widespread use of deadly traps deep inside the Sundarbans, posing a growing threat to the forest’s apex predator. On January 4, the Forest Department rescued an injured tiger after it became ensnared in a deer trap in the Chandpai range. The animal is currently undergoing treatment at the Khulna Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre. Although the increased movement of tigers of all ages in Sharankhola and Chandpai ranges of the Sundarbans has sparked optimism among wildlife experts. Yet this hopeful picture is shadowed by a growing crisis: a sharp decline in deer, the tiger’s primary prey. The mangrove forest is once again showing signs of revival, with the number of Royal Bengal Tigers rising over the past six years. The latest Forest Department survey in 2024 recorded 125 adult tigers, marking an almost 10 percent increase compared to 2018 and a 17.92 percent rise since 2015. Announcing the tiger 2024 survey result EnvironmentAdviser Syeda Rizwana Hasan at a press conference said the tiger population density in the Sundarbans is now 2.64 tigers per 100 square kilometres. Rampant deer poaching, especially during new moon and full moon nights, is eroding the very food base that sustains the apex predator of the Sundarbans. Experts say about 80 percent of a tiger’s diet comes from spotted deer while the remaining 20 percent consists of wild boar, jungle cats and monkeys. The widespread and regular hunting of deer has severely reduced prey availability in the forest.Wildlife specialists warn that if this trend continues, the gains made in tiger conservation could be reversed. Nirmal Kumar Pal, forest officer of the Wildlife and Nature Conservation Division in Khulna, confirmed increased tiger movement in the Chandpai and Sharankhola ranges. To Save Tigers in Bangladesh, Deer Farming Must End “Eighty percent of a tiger’s food comes from deer with the rest from wild boar, jungle cats and monkeys,” he said, underscoring the link between prey decline and tiger behaviour. Silent Traps in Deep Forests Poachers are increasingly using leaf traps and sedative tablets deep inside the forest to hunt deer. As a result, the Chandpai, Sharankhola, Satkhira and Khulna ranges are experiencing an acute prey shortage. According to wildlife experts a fully grown tiger needs at least 50 to 60 kilograms of meat per week and when food becomes scarce, tigers are more likely to cross rivers and canals and stray into human settlements, increasing the risk of conflict. The publication Sundarban notes that according to a 2023 survey, the forest had 131,604 spotted deer. Conservationists said this number is already below what is required to sustainably support the growing tiger population. Thousands of Traps Seized Forest Department records reveal the scale of the challenge. From May to December last year alone, the Sundarbans East Forest Division recovered more than 61,400 traps of various kinds. In the western division, officials seized 3,148 feet of traps over the past two years. During the same period, authorities recovered 1,148 kilograms of deer meat from poachers. A total of 72 cases were filed naming 192 accused. Farewell to our Friend of Tigers, Dutch ambassador Andre Carstens Rezaual Karim Chowdhury, divisional forest officer of the Sundarbans East Division, said areas such as Bishwaspara, Charduani, Gangpara and Sharankhola in Patharghata upazila saw comparatively higher numbers of seized traps. “Similarly, large quantities of traps have been recovered from Kalabagi and Baniakhali under the Sundarbans West Division,” he added. A Threat Recognised, But Unresolved Professor MA Aziz of Jahangirnagar University’s Department of Zoology and a noted tiger expert warned that leaf traps pose a major threat not only to deer but also to tigers themselves. “This issue is clearly mentioned in the Tiger Action Plan (2018–2027),” he said. He noted that deer hunting has become a secondary source of income for many forest-dependent people. “Demand for deer meat in local markets rises during new moon and full moon nights, leading to increased poaching,” he said, adding, “The forest no longer has the number of deer it needs. At the same time, tigers risk losing limbs or even their lives after getting caught in traps.” As the number of tiger inches upward, experts stress that protecting prey species is now the most urgent task. Without ensuring a healthy deer population, they warn, the Sundarbans’ fragile success story could quickly turn into another conservation setback where more tigers roam the forest, but with too little food to survive.