UNB, Bagerhat :
International biological experts have asked the authorities concerned to ensure the security of the Bengal Tiger living in the Sundarbans to protect the endangered species from extinction.
A 40-member delegation of international tiger experts gave some suggestions to the Department of Forests (DoF) during their two-day visit to the world’s largest mangrove forest on Thursday after conclusion of the 2nd Global Tiger Stocktaking Conference, DoF officials said.
The suggestions include strengthening cooperation and sharing knowledge with other countries as the Sundarbans is the only habitat of the Bengal Tigers.
The delegation also stressed regular monitoring of the tigers in the Sundarbans so that they could be protected from poaching and illegal wildlife trafficking.
“They (international biological experts) shared knowledge with us and gave their suggestions after the Sundarbans visit,”
Conservator of Forest (wildlife circle) Dr Tapan Kumar Dey told UNB on Friday.
The delegation of tiger experts, led by chief conservator of forests M Yunus Ali, entered into the Southern part of the Sundarbans on Wednesday through Mongla point to visit the habitat of the Bengal Tiger. They traveled different points of the Sundarbans, including Karamjal, Shailo River, Katka and Jamtala.
The tiger experts exchanged views with the members of the Village Tiger Response Team (VTRT) and Co-management committee during their visit to the Sundarbans. They also shared knowledge with the forest officials.
Forest officer Amir Hossain Chowdhury (Sundarbans South Zone) said the delegation of tiger experts asked the DoF to ensure the security of tigers and strengthen monitoring to protect the Sundarbans tigers.
“They informed us about their various plans to save the world’s largest mangrove forests and the tigers. They were also impressed seeing the exquisite natural beauty of the Sundarbans,” he added.
Tiger (Panthera tigris), the Asia’s most iconic animal, and the largest cat of all are majestic symbols in many ancient and modern cultures, recognised by various civil society and governments as being important to save from extinction.
As the top predator, the tiger plays an important role in keeping the ecosystem healthy for a range of animals and human communities who share its forest habitats. The presence of tigers helps to maintain the balanced herbivores population like deer, wild buffalo, antelope and wild boar in the forests.
Official sources said the world’s population of wild tigers has plummeted by 95 percent in just over a century, from an estimated 100,000 in 1900 to around 3700 today with 440 tigers in Bangladesh.
Their habitats have shrunk by 93 percent and the remaining tiger range countries currently are Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russia, Thailand and Vietnam.
The DoF officials said the tigers in the Sundarbans are in danger due to rapid decline of their habitats caused by human intervention, poaching, illegal wildlife trafficking, and climate change.
