UNB, Dhaka :
Observing that the focus only on the tiger is unlikely to bring any positive result for the Sundarbans, an eminent forest conservator has stressed the need for conserving the whole ecosystem of the mangrove forest to save the Royal Bengal tigers. The whole ecosystem of the Sundarbans, the natural habitat of the tigers and other species, must be conserved to protect tigers, Ishtiaq Uddin Ahmad, the country representative for IUCN Bangladesh, told UNB.
He said, if any single species of the wildlife is disappeared from the Sundarbans, it will create an imbalance in the ecosystem of the forest.About tiger conservation, Ishtiaq said identifying the trend of wildlife is very important to save the Sundarbans and its wildlife. “We must know the behaviour of Bengal tigers. We should know how many tigers are born in the Sundarbans each year and their annual death rate.”
He suggested strengthening scientific monitoring with skilled forest officials and applying all the scientific methods required to assess the trend of tigers in the Sundarbans since identifying the trend of wildlife is a complex issue.
“We should also know the ratio of male and female tigers. And, of course, wildlife poaching must be stopped at any cost,” Ishtiaq added.
Wildlife poaching is very common in the country. Official data show that a total of 251 cases, mostly wildlife poaching cases, were registered by the Forest Department under the Wildlife Protection Act in the last seven years-March 12, 2007 to April 5, 2015.
Ishtiaq Uddin, also former chief conservator of the forest, said effective steps must be taken to stop wildlife poaching in the Sundarbans. “But, stopping tiger poaching would not be enough to save the big cats, but the authorities should take steps to stop poaching of all kinds of wild animals, including deer, swine and dolphin.”
The IUCN county chief said excessive use of forest resources and illegal activities of pirates must be checked in the Sundarbans aiming to save tigers.
If necessary, he said, people’s access to the protected areas of the Sundarbans should be restricted.
Ishtiaq stressed creating mass awareness at all stages about the importance of the Sundarbans, a world heritage site, to save tigers as well as the mangrove forest.
If people get aware of the forest resources, wildlife and its ecosystem, they themselves will come forward to protect them and will raise their voice unitedly to stop wildlife poaching, he added.
Bangladesh Forest Department does not have enough capacity to stop wildlife poaching alone in the Sundarbans. Top authorities concerned should give directives to the law enforcement agencies and local administration to take effective steps to protect the resources of the Sundarbans at any cost, he said.
Observing that the focus only on the tiger is unlikely to bring any positive result for the Sundarbans, an eminent forest conservator has stressed the need for conserving the whole ecosystem of the mangrove forest to save the Royal Bengal tigers. The whole ecosystem of the Sundarbans, the natural habitat of the tigers and other species, must be conserved to protect tigers, Ishtiaq Uddin Ahmad, the country representative for IUCN Bangladesh, told UNB.
He said, if any single species of the wildlife is disappeared from the Sundarbans, it will create an imbalance in the ecosystem of the forest.About tiger conservation, Ishtiaq said identifying the trend of wildlife is very important to save the Sundarbans and its wildlife. “We must know the behaviour of Bengal tigers. We should know how many tigers are born in the Sundarbans each year and their annual death rate.”
He suggested strengthening scientific monitoring with skilled forest officials and applying all the scientific methods required to assess the trend of tigers in the Sundarbans since identifying the trend of wildlife is a complex issue.
“We should also know the ratio of male and female tigers. And, of course, wildlife poaching must be stopped at any cost,” Ishtiaq added.
Wildlife poaching is very common in the country. Official data show that a total of 251 cases, mostly wildlife poaching cases, were registered by the Forest Department under the Wildlife Protection Act in the last seven years-March 12, 2007 to April 5, 2015.
Ishtiaq Uddin, also former chief conservator of the forest, said effective steps must be taken to stop wildlife poaching in the Sundarbans. “But, stopping tiger poaching would not be enough to save the big cats, but the authorities should take steps to stop poaching of all kinds of wild animals, including deer, swine and dolphin.”
The IUCN county chief said excessive use of forest resources and illegal activities of pirates must be checked in the Sundarbans aiming to save tigers.
If necessary, he said, people’s access to the protected areas of the Sundarbans should be restricted.
Ishtiaq stressed creating mass awareness at all stages about the importance of the Sundarbans, a world heritage site, to save tigers as well as the mangrove forest.
If people get aware of the forest resources, wildlife and its ecosystem, they themselves will come forward to protect them and will raise their voice unitedly to stop wildlife poaching, he added.
Bangladesh Forest Department does not have enough capacity to stop wildlife poaching alone in the Sundarbans. Top authorities concerned should give directives to the law enforcement agencies and local administration to take effective steps to protect the resources of the Sundarbans at any cost, he said.
