Tiger census begins in the Sundarbans

Tiger census by using camera trapping method and by surveying creeks and rivers began in Sundarbans today under the 'Sundarban Tiger Conservation Project'.

The census kicked off under the Kalabagi Forest Station of Khulna Range of the Sundarbans.

The forest department is expected to publish the census result in March 2024.

According to the forest department, the census is being carried out by surveying the rivers and creeks and by looking for footprints of tigers, reports our Khulna correspondent.

Divisional Forest Officer (DFO) of Sundarbans West division, and Project Director (PD) of Tiger Conservation Project, Dr Abu Naser Mohsin Hossain, told The Daily Star that a team of 11 members started surveying rivers and creeks in the forest from Thursday.

Besides, installation of cameras will start from January 1. Around 484 cameras will be installed in the Sundarbans to capture pictures of tigers and other animals. They will be later analysed using advanced technology, he said.

The forest officer said survey and camera trappings will continue for the next three months. Later in November 2023, a similar survey will be conducted alongside capturing photographs. "We will be able to announce the results by June March 2024."

According to Forest Department, the Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change approved a project titled 'Sundarban Tiger Conservation Project' on March 23 this year. The cost of the project was estimated at Tk 35 crore 93 lakh 80 thousand. The project period was set from April this year to March 2025. The project has two parts -- tiger census and tiger conservation.

The work was supposed to start from October this year. However, due to global economic recession, the project was late in securing funds. Later, in mid-October, the Planning Commission released Tk 3 crore 24 lakh 36 thousand for the tiger census as part of the project.

According to forest department, currently 3,840 tigers survive in nature in 13 countries of the world. According to the latest 2018 survey, there are 114 tigers in Sundarbans in Bangladesh, which was 106 in 2015, and 404 in 2004 survey.