The government is committed to conserving tigers and their natural habitat in the Sundarbans, Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo said on Wednesday.
"Conserving tigers is not only about protecting a single species, it is also linked to safeguarding other wildlife, forest resources, breeding grounds and the overall ecosystem of the Sundarbans," he said while speaking at a discussion in the capital, marking World Tiger Day 2026 as the chief guest.
The theme of this year's observance was "Be aware, conserve tigers."
The tiger is Bangladesh's national animal and serves as a natural guardian of the Sundarbans. As a keystone species, it plays a vital role in maintaining the forest's food chain and ecological balance, he said.
The minister also said the government has recently formed a 10-member commission to protect safe habitats for wildlife and reduce human-wildlife conflict.
The commission will work to increase the number of Bengal tigers in the Sundarbans, recover illegally occupied forest land and raise awareness among communities living near forests, he added.
The numbers of tigers in the Sundarbans have been gradually increasing due to government initiatives, continuous efforts by the Forest Department and cooperation from local communities, claimed the minister.
According to camera trap surveys, the number of tigers in the Sundarbans increased from 106 in 2015 to 114 in 2018 and 125 in 2024.
The minister said Village Tiger Response Teams, Community Patrol Groups and forest-dependent local communities are playing important roles in tiger conservation.
The government has adopted a "zero tolerance" policy against tiger poaching and illegal trade of tiger parts and trophies. The Wildlife Crime Control Unit and wildlife management and nature conservation departments will be further strengthened to combat wildlife crimes, he said.
Besides, financial rewards ranging from Tk 25,000 to Tk 50,000 have been introduced for providing information on tiger-related crimes, he said.
Speaking as a special guest, Environment, Forest and Climate Change State Minister Shaikh Faridul Islam said tigers represent Bangladesh's courage and heritage.
The government has expanded protected areas to ensure better conservation of Sundarbans tigers, he said adding 80 ponds have been dug in the Sundarbans to increase access to fresh water for tigers and 20 elevated areas have been created for their resting places.
The state minister said the Prime Minister has given directives to take necessary measures to protect biodiversity.
Besides, nylon fencing has been installed to separate human settlements from forest areas, helping prevent tigers from entering local communities, he said.
Acting Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr Fahmida Khanam said tigers play a crucial role in maintaining the food chain of the Sundarbans.
She emphasised the need for sustainable tourism and said controlling the number of tourists visiting the forest should also be considered to ensure tiger conservation.
The discussion was chaired by Chief Conservator of Forests Md Amir Hossain Chowdhury. Professor Dr M A Aziz of the Department of Zoology at Jahangirnagar University and Khulna Divisional Forest Officer Imran Ahmed made thematic presentations at the event.
WildTeam Chief Executive Dr Md Anwarul Islam and IUCN Bangladesh Country Representative Bipasha S Hossain also spoke at the programme.