DHAKA, July 29, 2020 (BSS) -Environment, Forests and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin highlighted the need of increasing the number of tigers of the Sundarbans as well as protecting them for maintaining the balance of ecosystem.
“There is no alternative to the Sundarbans to maintain the ecological balance and save the country from storms and natural calamities. We must conserve tigers in order to protect the Sundarbans as well as Bangladesh,” a press release quoted the minister saying that.
He said this while addressing an online discussion on the occasion of ‘World Tiger Day, 2020’ under the theme ‘Let’s raise tigers, let’s protect Sundarbans’.
“The protectors of the Sundarbans, the Tigers need to be conserved because they play a crucial role in maintaining the ecosystem of the Sundarbans. Plans are being made to double the number of tigers in the Sundarbans,” he added.
During the meeting, the forest minister said there are about 114 Bengal tigers in the Sundarbans, among about 3,790 wild tigers in the world at present.
“Due to deforestation and poaching, the Bengal Tiger has been identified as an “endangered” species in the world,” he added.
Referring to various initiatives of the Forest Department and the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate to protect tigers in the Sundarbans, the Forest Minister said appropriate initiatives are being taken to increase the number of tigers by providing habitat development and regular patrols.
The government has already included about 52% of the Sundarbans in the sanctuary for the development and expansion of tiger habitat, the minister said.
A memorandum of understanding and a protocol were signed between Bangladesh and India in 2011 for the conservation of tigers in the Sundarbans, stopping the trafficking of tigers and predators, enhancing skills and monitoring, he mentioned.
The government under the Leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has paid Taka 51,50,000 to 59 families affected by tiger and other wildlife attacks, said the minister.
The Forest Minister also said that the second generation Bangladesh Tiger Action Plan 2018-2026 has been formulated for the conservation of tigers.
“The Tiger Response Team has been formed in the villages around the Sundarbans with the help of the forest department and the local people to exchange information and take precautionary measures as soon as the tigers come to the locality”, he said.
Regular and vigilant patrolling activities are underway in four ranges of the Sundarbans to conserve the Sundarbans and tigers, he added.
Calling on all concerned, the Minister said, “Let us save the tiger, the protector of the Sundarbans, through a concerted effort for the sake of our own existence.”
The online seminar was presided over by Md Amir Hossain Chowdhury, Chief Conservator of Forests of the Forest Department Deputy Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change.
Deputy Minister of Environment, Forests and Climate Change Habibun Nahar, Chairman of Parliamentary Standing Committee on Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change Saber Hossain Chowdhury, Ministry Secretary Ziaul Hasan NDC and Additional Secretary Md Billal Hossain were also spoke at the meeting, added the release.
Md. Zahidul Kabir, Director of Gazipur Sheikh Kamal Wildlife Center, Professor MA Aziz of Jahangirnagar University, Professor Dr Anwarul Islam of Dhaka University, Nature and Life Foundation Chairman Mukit Majumder Babu, Md Rakibul Amin from IUCN, Forest Conservator Dr Abu Naser Mohsin Hossain were also present at the discussion.