Creating alternative livelihoods for people dependent on the Sundarbans is must to save the forest and Bengal tiger, speakers said. The forest’s biodiversity will not be risk-free until adequate livelihood means could be ensured.
According to the latest tiger census, a mere 106 Bengal tigers are currently living in the forest although the figure was almost four times as many just a decade ago.
Experts blamed excessive human intervention, including poaching in the forest, as one of the major causes of the dwindling number.
“If we can create alternative livelihood options for the people living on the forest’s periphery, human intervention could be reduced,” said Mohammad Abdur Rouf, chief operating officer of Aarong.
He said his organisation is interested in creating livelihoods in the region by receiving handicrafts made by rural women.
The workshop was jointly organised by United States Agency for International Development and Bangladesh Brand Forum at Lakeshore Hotel in the capital.
The organisers urged the business communities to come forward for creating funds in order to save the Sundarbans and Bengal tigers as part of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives.
Md Quamrul Hasan, business director of Advanced Chemical Industries Limited, said his company already runs different programmes under the CSR scheme.
“As for initiatives to save tigers, we will consider the matter seriously,” he said, adding that more firms should be engaged in this plan.
