A tiger census using camera trapping method will begin in the Sundarbans in next November.
"The census will continue for the next 12 months installing 200 cameras in the Sundarbans," Mihir Kumar Doe, Conservator of Forest in Khulna Region, said Thursday at a press briefing held at the West Zone Forest Office in Khulna.
"Twelve American experts of Washington based Conservation Biology Institution will monitor the survey under the Sundarbans Tiger Conservation Project," he said.
Mihir Kumar, also the project director, said that the Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change approved the project involving Taka 35.94 crore on March 23 this year. The three-year venture will end in March 2025.
Of the project, Taka 3.27 crore will be expensed for tiger census activities while the remaining Taka 32.67 crore 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, infrastructures development for 500
trainee, study tours, research and other activities.
He also claimed that tiger breeding has increased in the forest as tiger cubs are found roaming at Nilkomol, Kachikhali and Satkhira ranges.
"We will monitor activities of each tiger, tigress and tiger cubs through camera trapping method," he said.
According to the Tiger Census 2015 and 2018, tiger population declined to only 106 and 114 tigers respectively in the Bangladesh part.
Forest Department data shows at least 50 tigers were killed in last 15 years due to illegal poaching of wildlife in the forest ranging 6,017 square
kilometres.
