According to Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, the latest survey for 2023-24 has recorded 125 tigers in the Sundarbans. The tiger density is 2.64 per 100 square kilometers. Compared to 2018, the tiger population has increased by 11, reflecting a growth rate of 9.65%, and a 17.92% rise since 2015.
In 2015, the Sundarbans had 106 tigers with a density of 2.17. By 2018, the number had risen to 114, with a density of 2.55, marking an 8% increase.
The advisor further mentioned that 21 tiger cubs were photographed in the 2023-24 survey, although they were not included in the count due to the high mortality rate among cubs. In comparison, only 5 cubs were captured on camera in the 2015 and 2018 surveys.
The tiger count was determined through the analysis of photos and data, with input from experts from India, New Zealand, and the United States. The survey, which began in January 2023 and concluded in March 2024, deployed 1,210 cameras in 605 grids across the Sundarbans for 318 days. Tigers were spotted in 368 grids, and from over 1 million photos and videos, 7,297 tiger images were obtained—an unprecedented number.
Rizwana Hasan expressed that the rise in the tiger population is a source of joy for the entire nation. To support tiger conservation, the government has declared 53.52% of the forest as protected, built 60 kilometers of nylon fencing, established 12 shelter centers, provided compensation and rewards, and formed 49 Village Tiger Response Teams. She emphasized the need for public cooperation alongside government efforts.
Present at the press briefing were Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry, Additional Secretary Iqbal Abdullah Harun, Chief Conservator of Forests Md. Amir Hossain Chowdhury, Professor M.A. Aziz of Jahangirnagar University, Khulna Circle Conservator of Forests Mihir Kumar Dey, and Project Director Dr. Abu Naser Mohsin Hossain, among others.
The press briefing included a video presentation on the tiger survey, an official release of the survey report, and a full presentation through PowerPoint.
Following the press briefing, the Environment Advisor met with members of the Bangladesh Climate Change Journalists Forum, where discussions were held on climate change, air pollution, and noise pollution control.