A tiger census using camera trapping method is expected to begin in the world’s largest mangrove forest Sundarbans in the last week of November this year.
All the preparations are underway to carry out the census, said Dr Abu Nas Mohosin, divisional forest officer (DFO) of Sundarban West Zone and also project director.
He said that Planning Commission approved the project financing Tk3crore in the last week for the census.
Now, it will take one month to take necessary steps after receiving approval from the Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change.
Mahmud Hossain Opu/Dhaka Tribune“We are taking the preparation with a target to start census work from the last week of November,” said the official adding: “The condition of existing cameras is being observed. We are looking for a suitable camera for this survey work. Discussion with the experts is also going on.”
This time preparations are being made to install cameras at 300 spots with 200 new cameras, he said.
According to the forest department, Sundarbans Tiger Conservation Project involving Tk 35.93crore was approved in March this year.
On March 23, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change gave its nod to the project.
The three-year venture will end in March 2025.
Of the project, Tk3.26 crore will be spent for tiger census activities while the remaining money will be spent for establishing 12 shelter centres (Matir Killa) for tigers' protection during natural disasters, setting up nylon fencing across 60 kilometers, fire distinguishing machines, pipe and drone purchase, training activities for 340 members of 49 village tiger response team and 185 members of community patrol group of four ranges, study tours, supplying dress, monthly meeting and other activities.
According to the Tiger Census 2015 and 2018, tiger population declined to only 106 and 114 tigers respectively in the Bangladesh part.
After 2017-18 no tiger census was conducted in the forest which is the only habitat of Royal Bengal Tigers in Bangladesh.
Forest Department data shows at least 50 tigers were killed in the last 15 years due to illegal poaching of wildlife in the forest ranging 6,017 square kilometres.
In the light of Bangladesh Tiger Action Plan (2009-2017), 2010 World Tiger Conference commitments, Second Tiger Action Plan (2016-2027) and Global Tiger Forum decisions, the Ministry approved the Tiger Conservation Project aiming to collect updated information on tigers in the country and to preserve and increase the number of tigers in the Sundarbans.