The Sundarbans, a world heritage site recognized by UNESCO, has been witnessing an increase in the number of Royal Bengal Tigers, with their presence more prominent than ever across various forest regions.
Recently, domestic and international tourists visiting the Katka Wildlife Sanctuary spotted three tigers together near the Betmore River, sparking widespread excitement.
Forest officials confirm that the tiger population in the Sundarbans is on the rise.
An analysis of the last three tiger censuses in the Bangladeshi part of the Sundarbans reveals an annual increase of 8 to 11 tigers.
As of October 2024, the latest survey counted 125 tigers in the area, compared to 114 in 2018 and 106 in 2015, based on camera-trapping data.
However, wildlife experts warn that climate change still poses a significant threat to these majestic predators.
They also stressed the need to involve local communities in conservation efforts and raise awareness among the general population about protecting the Sundarbans.
The Forest Department said that the habitat for tigers and other wildlife in the Sundarbans has been expanded.
In 2017, the government extended the sanctuary areas within the Sundarbans.
To ensure tiger safety, smart patrolling is being conducted alongside the regular activities of patrol stations in the Sundarbans.
According to the Forest Department, tiger sightings in the Sundarbans have increased recently compared to previous times.
Based on data from the Forest Department, tiger counts in the Sundarbans have been conducted using camera trapping in recent years.
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The latest survey, conducted in October 2024, revealed that the number of tigers in the Bangladeshi part of the Sundarbans stands at 125.
Previously, a similar survey in 2018 recorded 114 tigers, while the 2015 survey using camera trapping counted 106 tigers.
While the tiger population in the Sundarbans is increasing, reports of tiger deaths also surface from time to time.
According to the data of the Forest Department, 43 tigers died in various incidents in the Sundarbans over the past 24 years, from 2001 to May 2024.
On January 18, this year, tourists witnessed the presence of three tigers near the Betmore River. Of them, two were adults, while the third was a tiger cub.
Over a span of 40 minutes, tourists observed the tigers, with some capturing their movements in videos and photos.
Earlier, on January 8, this year, Forest Department staff spotted a female tiger in a canal in the Karamjal area of the Sundarbans East Division.
In January 2024, forest staff reported sighting four tigers in the Katka-Kochikhali area. Among these, two were adult tigers and two were cubs.
Besides, tigers have occasionally been seen roaming near Forest Department offices. Tiger paw prints are frequently observed in various parts of the forest.
Sometimes, tourists catch sight of these majestic animals.
On certain occasions, tigers leave the Sundarbans, crossing rivers and canals to enter adjacent localities.
Over the past 16 years, more than 50 tigers have ventured out of the Sundarbans into human settlements. Panic gripped various localities following the entrance of the tigers.
Villagers have urged authorities to take measures to prevent tigers from leaving the Sundarbans and entering local communities.
Md Al Amin Hossain, a tour guide who has spotted tigers seven times in the past decade, considers himself fortunate.
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On January 18, this year, Al Amin along with 75 tourists boarded a ship named ‘MV Alaska’ on a three-day trip. That was when they witnessed three tigers near the Betmore River.
Alamin shared that he had previously seen two tigers in the Katka area.
Speaking to several fishermen from different areas, they shared that while fishing in the rivers and canals of the Sundarbans, they occasionally hear tiger roars.
They have also seen tiger footprints on the riverbanks. Some of them have even spotted tigers.
Professor Anwarul Islam, CEO of WildTeam, which has been involved in tiger conservation in the forest, said, "It can undoubtedly be said that the tiger population is increasing. Some people have visited the Sundarbans 50 to 60 times without spotting a tiger, while others may have seen one on their very first visit. Tigers roam throughout the Sundarbans. If someone’s location, timing, and movement align with those of a tiger, they may have the opportunity to see one."
Dr Anwarul said that the Sundarbans faced numerous challenges. "Due to climate change, the Sundarbans are under significant threat."
He said issues like increasing salinity, poaching, fishing with poison, plastic pollution, deer hunting and some unknown threats persist.
Meanwhile, about 500,000 people depend on the Sundarbans for their livelihood. Despite all these challenges, the tiger population in the Sundarbans remains stable, which gives us hope that this unique ecosystem will endure.
He also emphasised the importance of involving forest-adjacent communities in tiger conservation.
WildTeam, working in 49 Sundarbans-adjacent villages, has mobilised 340 members, including women, along with 55 Tiger Friends, 50 Tiger Scouts and other community groups to promote conservation.
"Sundarbans is like a mother to us," said Dr Anwarul, adding that public involvement in conservation creates a strong sense of accountability and deters illegal activities.
Azad Kabir, in-charge of Karamjal Wildlife Breeding Centre, said tigers are occasionally spotted in various areas of the Sundarbans. Up to four tigers have been seen together at once.
While the forest staff is seeing tigers, tourists visiting the Sundarbans are also witnessing them.
There has been a noticeable increase in tiger sightings in the Sundarbans compared to before. It is believed that the number of tigers in the Sundarbans is on the rise.
Kazi Mohammad Nurul Karim, Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Sundarbans East Division, said the tigers are roaming around the Sundarbans safely following the elimination of poaching activities in the Sundarbans.
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With their habitat being secure, ample food, and favorable environmental conditions, the tiger population is increasing. Occasionally, tigers can be seen roaming in areas such as Katka, Kochikhali, Hiron Point, Harbaria, Chandershar, Charkhali, Supoti, and Neelkamal in the Sundarbans, he said.
The Sundarbans Tiger Conservation Project is ongoing to protect tigers. Under this project, various activities are being carried out in the Sundarbans.
The DFO further informed that under the tiger conservation project, 12 freshwater ponds have been dug in various areas of the Sundarbans to provide food for tigers and other wildlife.
To ensure that tigers and other wildlife can take refuge in higher ground when floodwaters rise, 12 earthen embankments have been constructed.
As a result, tigers in the Sundarbans are now much safer. This is why the number of tigers is increasing, according to the DFO.
Sources said, the total area of the Sundarbans is 6,017 square kilometers, of which 4,143 square kilometers is land.
Currently, more than half of the total area of the Sundarbans is protected forest.
Each tiger in the Sundarbans marks 14 to 16 square kilometers (home range) for its habitat. The Royal Bengal Tigers roam across the entire Sundarbans.
Despite the threat posed by poachers, climate change, and increasing salinity, the tiger population in the Bangladesh portion of the Sundarbans is still increasing, according to experts.