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Editorial

Decrease in conflicts with tigers in Sundarbans

Number of tigers in Sundarbans on the rise


Bangladeshpost
Published : 13 Oct 2019 04:40 PM | Updated : 06 Sep 2020 12:26 AM

United Nations Education Scientific and Cultural Organization, UNESCO has declared that there are less reports of conflict between humans and tigers around the Sundarbans. 

Humans mostly stand to lose when humans and tigers come into contact. Alternate livelihoods in areas near tiger habitats will ensure safety of both the Bengal Tiger and humans of nearby settlements.

Thousands of families depend on the Sundarbans for their daily bread by organizing tourism, fishing and collecting honey and wood. These people are forced to go into the forests despite the risk of losing their lives when they come in contact with the 

predators. 

In the past, hundreds of people in the region have lost their lives in human-tiger conflicts and many were left critically injured. Fortunately, in the last two years that number has fallen as there are less human-tiger conflicts taking place. 

The reason behind this is that the tigers are coming into human settlements much less frequently when compared to before. According to Wild Team, an organization working on reducing human-tiger conflict in Sundarbans it is because the animals are getting enough food.


Alternate livelihoods in areas near tiger

 habitats will ensure safety for both the

 Bengal Tiger and humans of nearby settlements


The number of Bengal tigers in the Sundarbans has increased from 106 in 2005 to 114 in 2018, a report from Forest Department claims. It is estimated that the tiger population has increased in part as the activities of the robbers and smugglers in the forest have reduced as well. 

This proves that there is indeed hope for our tigers. We must use this opportunity to further strengthen our conservation efforts and punish poachers harshly in order to send a message. 

Royal Bengal tiger has been listed as endangered on the Red List of Threatened Species since 2008. It is a shame that the animal that we have designated to be our national animal might soon become extinct due to our own actions. 

The symbolic value of the Bengal tiger can hardly be overstressed as they represent our heritage, our pride and even our national cricket team.