United News of Bangladesh

Bangladesh currently has a total of 189 tigers  in the Sundarbans, the country's only tiger habitat, and in zoos across the country which is not sufficient to protect the species from extinction, State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salauddin Tuku said on Wednesday. “Tigers are one of the most important wildlife species in the world and an indispensable part of biodiversity. It is extremely important to raise public awareness and build a conservation mindset among the new generation to protect this animal,” the state minister told reporters after a rally at Bangladesh National Zoo marking Global Tiger Day. He said the global tiger population was around 100,000 about a hundred years ago but has now dwindled to roughly 5,000, a figure that clearly signals the species is under serious threat. “If we do not take effective initiatives now and fail to raise public awareness, this species will face an even deeper crisis in the future,” he said. Breaking down the current numbers, the state minister said the Sundarbans is home to 124 tigers, while Bangladesh National Zoo has around 15 and other zoos across the country together have about 50. He said tigers are a national asset, and the government will continue taking necessary measures for their conservation so that future generations can learn about tigers and understand the importance of protecting them. Responding to a question from journalists about the budget allocated for tiger census and transparency in the process, the state minister said tiger counting falls under the Forest Department and not the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock, adding that the Forest Department carries out the exercise transparently through its own process. The state minister later inaugurated a souvenir shop at Bangladesh National Zoo.

The number of Royal Bengal Tigers in the  Sundarbans  in Bangladesh has increased steadily over the past decade despite continuing conservation challenges, reinforcing hopes for the species’ long-term survival. Despite the continued threats of poaching, climate change, habitat degradation and illegal activities inside the forest, the number of tigers in the  forest has shown a gradual increase over the past decade, according to the Forest Department. World Tiger Day is being observed on Wednesday (July 29) under the theme, “Be Aware, Conserve Tigers.” In recent years, Bangladesh has moved national observances beyond Dhaka, involving communities living around the Sundarbans to strengthen public participation in tiger conservation. Slow but steady recovery Bangladesh began estimating tiger numbers through camera-trap surveys in 2015, replacing older pugmark-based methods. The first survey estimated 106 tigers in the Bangladesh Sundarbans. A second survey in 2018 recorded 114 tigers, while the latest survey completed in October 2024 estimated the population at 125. The consistent increase of roughly 10 tigers in each survey has been viewed by conservationists as evidence that protection measures are producing results, although they caution that the population remains vulnerable. Forest officials and people who regularly work inside the Sundarbans said tiger sightings have become more frequent than in previous years. Last Friday afternoon, a tiger was spotted roaming near the Andharmanik Ecotourism Centre.  Analysis of images captured by 20 recently-installed camera traps in the same area over one week also identified three  tigers. Officials say incidents of tigers straying into nearby villages have declined significantly, reducing human-tiger conflict. Forest workers and tourists are increasingly reporting sightings of tiger pairs, and occasionally groups of three. Earlier this year, on January 4, Forest Department personnel rescued a female tiger from a poacher’s snare inside the Sundarbans. Estimated to be around 10 years old, the tigress remained trapped for several days and was in critical condition. After months of treatment and rehabilitation, she was released back into the forest on July 12. Conservation gains overshadowed by losses While tiger numbers are rising, mortality remains a major concern. Forest Department data show that between 2001 and 2025, 61 tigers died in the Sundarbans. Of them, 26 were killed by criminals, 14 died after entering human settlements and being attacked by local people, 19 died of natural causes, while two died during Cyclone Sidr and other incidents. Authorities also recovered tiger skins and skeletal remains during the same period, indicating continued illegal wildlife trafficking. The eastern division of the Sundarbans recorded 30 tiger deaths, while the western division accounted for 31. During the same period, tiger attacks claimed the lives of 13 people in the eastern Sundarbans. A global bright spot The Sundarbans’ improving tiger population stands out against the global decline of the species. A new report from wildlife trade monitoring network TRAFFIC has warned that criminal networks involved in wildlife trafficking are adapting more quickly than conservation efforts can keep pace. It said the global wild tiger population, which stood at about 100,000 a century ago, has declined dramatically to an estimated 3,700-5,500 animals. Three tiger subspecies—the Bali, Javan and Caspian tigers—have already become extinct. Wild tigers now survive in only 10 countries, including Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, China and Russia. Deforestation, poaching and illegal wildlife trade continue to threaten tiger populations worldwide. Protection efforts intensify Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, divisional forest officer (DFO) of the Sundarbans East Forest Division, said anti-poaching operations have been strengthened considerably in recent years. Forest guards now conduct regular foot patrols, while drones are also being used during enforcement operations. Over the past year, authorities recovered a large number of traps set for hunting tigers and deer, arrested 70 deer poachers and submitted a list of 150 suspected poachers to law enforcement agencies. “The activities of poachers have declined because of continuous enforcement drives,” he said. “As a result, tiger movement inside the forest has increased.” He added that no tiger has been killed in nearby villages in recent years. Boundary fencing has also helped reduce cross-border movement, allowing tigers approaching the frontier to return safely to the forest, while the increasing deer population has improved prey availability. Parallel search operations have also made it more difficult for poachers to lay traps. “Tigers are now being seen on forest trails, beside ponds and canals, and sometimes even near Forest Department offices,” he said. “Tourists are also getting opportunities to see tigers during visits to the Sundarbans.” He expressed optimism that the next tiger census would record another increase. AZM Hasanur Rahman, DFO of the Sundarbans West Forest Division, said the department remains vigilant in protecting both tigers and other forest resources and expects the results of ongoing conservation initiatives to be reflected in future surveys.

A female Royal Bengal tiger rescued from a poachers’ snare in the Sundarbans and nursed back to health in a rehabilitation centre in Khulna is set to return to its natural habitat later this month. The tiger, estimated to be between nine and 10 years old, was found trapped in an illegal snare near Bairagi Bari, adjacent to Sharkir Khal in the Sundarbans East Forest Division under Mongla upazila of Bagerhat district in early January. Forest officials rescued the tiger on January 4 after tranquilising it with a dart gun. By then, the animal had spent several days trapped in the snare, suffering severe injuries to its front left leg where deep wounds had become infected and begun to rot. The tiger was taken to the Wildlife and Nature Conservation Division’s rehabilitation centre in Khulna, where a six-member medical board was formed to oversee its treatment. Veterinary Officer Dr. Julkar Nain of Gazipur Safari Park, who was involved in the treatment, said the tiger’s condition was critical when it was rescued. “The left leg had sustained extensive damage and infection. From January through March, the tiger received continuous treatment, including antibiotics, injections and wound dressing. It started recovering in April and is now fully healthy,” he said. Dr. Nain said the tiger has resumed normal feeding habits and has regained the physical ability and predatory instincts necessary to hunt in the wild. Chief Conservator of Forests Amir Hossain Chowdhury said a meeting of tiger experts held in May decided that the animal should be released back into the Sundarbans. “The tiger has fully recovered and will be released into the forest by the end of June,” he said. Forest officials had also discussed fitting the tiger with a satellite collar to monitor its movements after release. However, experts attending the meeting could not reach a consensus on the proposal and the plan was ultimately dropped. Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Sundarbans East Forest Division Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said the tiger’s injuries had affected skin, muscle and tissue across much of its front left leg.  “Through intensive care and proper treatment, the tiger has made a complete recovery. It has regained its natural aggression and hunting behaviour and is ready to return to the wild,” he said. The DFO said the Forest Department has strengthened anti-poaching efforts across the Sundarbans. Officials now conduct extensive foot patrols in remote forest areas, while eight drones are being used to monitor illegal activities. Smart patrolling systems have also been introduced, they said. According to forest department data, authorities recovered around 116,000 feet of illegal snares from the Sundarbans over the past year. The traps had been set by poaching gangs targeting deer and tigers. “The activities of poaching networks have declined significantly due to intensified enforcement,” Rezaul Karim said. Wildlife expert and Chief Executive of WildTeam Professor Anwarul Islam, who attended the expert meeting on the tiger’s future, praised the Forest Department for saving the animal despite limited resources. “The tiger should be able to resume a normal life in the forest. It may face some challenges hunting because of its age, but even then, a tiger should be allowed to live and die as a tiger,” he said. He added that equipping the tiger with a satellite collar would have helped researchers monitor its adaptation to the wild. Professor Islam also stressed the need to strengthen the institutional capacity of the Forest Department. “Without stronger conservation efforts, neither the Sundarbans nor its wildlife will survive in the long term. Fortunately, wildlife protection in the forest has improved significantly in recent years,” he said. Forest Department surveys show that the tiger population in the Bangladesh portion of the Sundarbans has been gradually increasing. According to the latest camera-trap survey conducted in October 2024, the forest is home to 125 tigers, up from 114 recorded in 2018 and 106 in 2015.

The Forest Department has imposed a three-month ban on all forms of entry into the Sundarbans from June 1 to August 31 to facilitate the breeding of fish and other aquatic species, conserve biodiversity and ensure the protection of wildlife. During this period, fishing, crab harvesting, honey collection and tourism activities will remain completely suspended across the world's largest mangrove forest. Forest authorities said all permits for entering the Sundarbans have been cancelled and all forest-dependent workers were asked to return from the forest by Sunday evening. Officials warned that strict legal action would be taken against anyone violating the restriction. According to the Sundarbans Forest Division, June to August is the peak breeding season for fish and various aquatic species in the forest's rivers and canals. The period also allows forest resources to regenerate naturally and enables wildlife to move freely without disturbance. The Forest Department has been enforcing the annual three-month restriction since 2020 and claims the measure has yielded positive results by increasing fish reproduction, protecting biodiversity and improving wildlife conservation. During these three months, the Sundarbans gets a chance to rest from all forms of human activity and disturbance. However, the restriction has caused concern among thousands of people whose livelihoods depend on the Sundarbans, including fishermen, honey collectors and other forest-based workers. Many forest-dependent residents have urged the government to provide food assistance and financial support during the ban period. Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Sundarbans East Division, Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, said the restriction had been imposed, as in previous years, to promote fish breeding, ensure the free movement of wildlife and allow forest resources to recover. Permission for professional forest users had been suspended a week ago and no tourists would be allowed to enter the Sundarbans during the ban period, he said. "We have been conducting awareness campaigns through loudspeaker announcements in adjacent areas over the past several days. All forest-dependent workers have left the Sundarbans by Sunday evening and currently no professional groups remain inside the forest," he said. The DFO also said a proposal has been sent to the relevant authorities seeking food assistance and incentives for fishermen and other people affected by the temporary closure.

Members of Bangladesh Coast Guard (BCG) in a drive arrested two members, including the second-in-command of forest robber gang “Karim-Sharif Bahini” along with arms and ammunition from the Sundarbans in Dakop upazila of Khulna district early Sunday. The arrestees were identified as Rabiul Sheikh, 30, of Rampal upazila, and Rajon Sharif, 20, the second-in-command of the gang hailing from Morrelganj upazila of Bagerhat. The BCG members also rescued four fishermen from the clutch of the robbers during the drive. Tipped off, a team of BCG, as part of “Operation Mangrove Shield”, conducted a drive in the Dhangmari area of the Sundarbans around 4:00am and arrested two members of the forest robber gang. At that time, they also rescued four fishermen, said BCG Media Officer Lieutenant Commander Sabbir Alam. Later, the team recovered three guns and 24 rounds of bullets from the spot. Rajon Sharif had long been involved in kidnapping fishermen and others in the Sundarbans for ransom. He was wanted also in a murder case filed at Sadar Police Station in Bagerhat, said Sabbir.  

A total of 61 members of various robber gangs have been detained in joint operations over the past 18 months. Captain Mohammad Mesbaul Islam, Zonal Commander of Coast Guard West Zone Headquarters, said on Sunday that they launched drives  titled ‘Operation Restore Peace in the Sundarbans’ and ‘Operation Mangrove Shield,’ to curb robber activities in the Sundarbans. During the drives, members of several groups including Karim-Sharif, Nana Bhai, Chhota Suman, Alif, and Asabur, were detained. Authorities also recovered 80 firearms and 599 rounds of ammunition during the drives. Besides, 78 fishermen and three tourists were rescued. The Coast Guard sources said 944 kg of venison, 900 traps, and a large quantity of illegal goods linked to 29 poachers were seized as part of wildlife protection efforts. Illegal nets worth around Tk 1,806 crore and a significant amount of fish fry were also seized. Security surveillance has intensified across the Sundarbans including Harbaria, Kaikhali, Koyra, Nalian, Mandarbari, and Shyamnagar in Satkhira, as part of ongoing anti-poaching operations. Personnel from the Navy, RAB, Coast Guard, Police, Forest Department, and other agencies are participating in the joint drive.

Over 10,000 fishermen in the Sundarbans have suspended their fishing activities amid growing fears of attacks by forest pirates, highlighting renewed security concerns in the region. Fishermen from Dubla Char, a key hub for dry-fish processing, stopped venturing into the sea and rivers from Wednesday evening after the reported abduction of 20 colleagues on Monday night. Their whereabouts remain unknown, causing widespread alarm among local communities. Md Kamal Uddin Ahmed, president of the Dubla Fishermen Group and a freedom fighter, told UNB from Alorkol that inadequate security in the Sundarbans and surrounding waters has left fishermen terrified of further kidnappings. “Over 10,000 fishermen engaged in dry-fish processing stopped fishing in the sea and rivers from Wednesday evening and are now staying idle on the char,” he said. With the fishing season nearing its end, many fear returning home empty-handed. Kamal Uddin alleged that four pirate gangs, identified as Jahangir, Suman, Sharif and Karim Bahini, are currently active, abducting fishermen and demanding ransom. Those unable to pay, he added, are often severely beaten. The resurgence of piracy follows years of relative calm. The Sundarbans were declared pirate-free in 2018, but attacks have reportedly increased under the interim administration. At least four fishermen were admitted to Rampal Hospital last week with serious injuries from pirate assaults. Kurigram looks to new government for solutions to river erosion, jobs crisis Motasim Forazi, president of the Rampal Fishermen’s Association in Alorkol, described the situation, “Earlier we used to say, ‘Crocodiles in water, tigers on land.’ Now it’s ‘pirates at sea.” He said over 100 fishermen are currently being held captive, with multiple abductions recorded in the past two weeks. The 20 men taken on Monday have yet to be traced, though the pirates reportedly left a mobile number for ransom negotiations. Officials from the Forest Department expressed concern over the economic impact. Milton Roy, officer-in-charge of the Dubla Patrol Outpost under the Sundarbans East Forest Division, warned that the fishing halt could cause significant revenue losses. Sharankhola Forest Station Officer Md Khalilur Rahman noted that no fishermen are currently collecting permits, a situation likely to affect the division’s monthly revenue targets. Local traders, including grocers Jalal Molla, Anwar Saudagar, and Ripon Hawlader, reported a sharp decline in business due to the fishing suspension. Assistant Conservator of Forests Md Shariful Islam said authorities have been alerted to the rise in piracy, and forest guards are working to safeguard fishermen. As the community waits anxiously for news of the missing fishermen, the fragile balance between livelihoods and security in the Sundarbans remains under severe threat.

Six fishermen were allegedly kidnapped by forest robbers from Shelar Char in the eastern side of Sundarbans early Saturday. The abducted fishermen were identified as Khairul, 35, Faruk, 28, Samsul Islam, 25, Safrul, 32, Maruf, 28, and Milon, 30. All of them hailed from Koyra, Rampal and Morelganj upazilas of Bagerhat and Khulna districts. Milton Roy, officer-in-charge of the Dubla Forest Patrol Outpost under the East Sundarbans, said members of the notorious robber gang ‘Karim Sharif Bahini’ stormed the area around 12:30am and kidnapped the six fishermen at gunpoint. Besides, a fishing trawler was taken away by the robbers from the Loitrakhali area of Dubla on Thursday night, he added. Panic has gripped the fishermen staying at Shelar Char, a fishing village near the patrol outpost, following the incident. Md Shariful Islam, Assistant Conservator of Forests (ACF) and Range Officer of the Sharankhola Range, said instructions have been given to intensify patrols by forest guards at the Shelar Char Forest Patrol Outpost to ensure the safety of the fishermen.  

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.

A critically injured tigress rescued from a poacher’s trap in the Sundarbans is battling for survival, wildlife experts said on Monday, raising renewed concern over illegal hunting in the world’s largest mangrove forest. The Forest Department rescued the 3–4-year-old tigress from a nylon rope snare near Boiragi Bari along the Sarkir Canal in Mongla upazila of Bagerhat district on Sunday afternoon. Veterinarians said the animal had remained trapped for several days, leaving it severely weakened and traumatised. Dr Julkar Nayen, veterinary officer of Gazipur Safari Park, said the tigress’s left leg suffered deep injuries due to prolonged entanglement in the trap. “The leg has rotted, blood circulation has stopped, blood vessels are damaged and body cells have been affected,” he said. The animal is suffering from mineral and salt deficiency and severe starvation. He said fluid discharge was observed from the tigress’s nose and her overall physical condition remains critical. “She is not fit to be shifted elsewhere at this stage. Treatment is ongoing, but it is difficult to predict recovery,” he added. Khulna Wildlife and Nature Conservation Department DFO Nirmal Kumar Pal, said the tigress regained consciousness on Sunday evening but remains in trauma. Tigress trapped in poachers’ snare in Sundarbans rescued “She is not walking and has refused food despite repeated attempts. Saline and medicines mixed with water are being administered,” he said, adding that a specialist team is monitoring her condition and she may be shifted to Dhaka if required. Meanwhile, the Forest Department has launched combing operations across several areas of the Sundarbans East Division to recover poachers’ traps. Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of the Sundarbans East Division Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said the operation began on Monday morning and will continue for at least two days. “Although no poachers have been arrested so far, about 35,000 feet of deer-hunting snares have been seized over the past 8 months,” he said. Khulna region Conservator of Forests Imran Ahmed said the tigress became critically weak after remaining trapped without food for days. “Advice from both local and foreign veterinarians is being sought,” he said. Wildlife experts criticised delays in the rescue operation, saying earlier intervention might have reduced the severity of the injuries. They urged the authorities to strengthen surveillance and take swift action to protect tigers in the Sundarbans. Wildlife expert and CEO of WildTeam Professor Dr Anwarul Islam called for maximum efforts to save the tigress, stressing coordinated action involving forest officials, veterinarians, universities and relevant ministries. Global tiger trafficking crisis deepens as 9 big cats seized each month “The tiger is the guardian of the Sundarbans, and local people are the guardians of the tiger. Without tigers, the Sundarbans cannot survive,” he said. Prof Anwarul Islam said that the tiger is the national animal of Bangladesh. The Sundarbans is the only refuge for the tiger. Currently, there are 125 tigers in the Sundarbans. “We do not want to lose even a single tiger.” The tigress was first spotted by a fisherman on Saturday afternoon, about half a kilometre inside the forest. After surrounding the area, forest officials tranquilised the animal on Sunday afternoon and transported it to the Khulna Wildlife Rescue and Rehabilitation Centre. According to Forest Department data, the number of tigers in the Bangladesh part of the Sundarbans stood at 125 as of October 2024, up from 114 in 2018 and 106 in 2015. Tigers in the region continue to face threats from poaching, climate change and rising salinity. Read more: The Majestic Bengal Tiger: Conservation Success in the Sundarbans