Sundarbans tiger population rises by 11 to reach 125 in six years

The number of Bengal tigers in the Sundarbans has increased by 11 to reach 125 over the last six years, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has said.

The adviser shared the information while addressing a press conference held to announce the results of the third "Sundarbans Tiger Census 2024" at the Secretariat in the capital today.

Alongside her, Professor MA Aziz of Jahangirnagar University's zoology department, who has been involved in the project as an expert, presented the results of the survey conducted between January 2023 and March 2024.

The census revealed that the tiger population in the Sundarbans now stands at 125, with a density of 2.64 tigers per 100 square kilometres of the forest. This marks a 9.65% increase in the number of tigers compared to 2018, and a 17.92% rise compared to 2015.

The first camera trap survey in the Sundarbans was conducted in 2015, which recorded 106 tigers with a density of 2.17 tigers per 100 square kilometres.

The second phase of the survey in 2018 found 114 tigers, with a density of 2.55 tigers per 100 square kilometres. Compared to 2015, there was a nearly 8% surge in the population by 2018.

Addressing the briefing, Rizwana also said that the 2023-24 camera trap survey also found 21 tiger cubs, but their number was not included as their mortality rate at a young age is very high. Only five tiger cubs were photographed during the 2015 and 2018 surveys.

According to the Forest Department, the Bangladesh portion of the Sundarbans covers an area of 6,017 square kilometres. Of that, 4,832 square kilometres is forestland and 1,185 square kilometres is wetlands.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature has classified tigers as a critically endangered species in Bangladesh. Officials say the data collected from this survey will guide future conservation strategies.

Govt to reassess industries around Rampal

The interim government will reassess whether the industries that have developed around the Rampal power plant are within or outside the protected area, the environment adviser said.

"A new investigation is being conducted to determine whether the Rampal power plant is creating a risk for the Sundarbans. The previous government had submitted a Strategic Environmental Assessment report to Unesco, showing a reduced area of the protected zone and categorising the industries there as 'green,' which were previously marked as 'red' or high-risk," she said.

Rizwana further said, "We are currently working on two tasks. One of them involves reassessing whether the industries that have developed within the 10-kilometre protected area around the site are inside or outside the protected zone."

At the same time, steps have been taken to conduct an independent examination of the air discharge, she said. 

"Only after this investigation, we could fully assess the true risks of Rampal." 

Plastic ban, tourist limits on St Martin's to be finalised by 20 Oct

A comprehensive work plan to regulate tourism on Saint Martin's Island, including a ban on single-use plastics, restrictions on overnight stays, and a cap on the number of tourists, will be finalised by 20 October, the environment adviser said.

In response to questions about recent recommendations concerning the island, Rizwana detailed the outcomes of a meeting held with stakeholders, including hotel and ship operators.

"Those who manage hotels and ships on Saint Martin's Island have agreed that single-use plastic should not be permitted. Some even suggested that snacks like chanachur, chips, and pickles should also be banned," she said.