Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, said that the number of tigers in 2024 has increased by 11 compared to 2018. 125 tigers were found in the 2023-24 National Animal Tiger Survey of Sundarbans.

The advisor gave this information at a press conference on the occasion of announcing the results of 'Sundarban Tiger Survey-2024' at the Secretariat on Tuesday (October 8).

In 2015, there were 106 tigers in the Sundarbans, and the density was 2.17, he said. In 2018, 114 tigers were found, and the density was 2.55. In 2018, the number of tigers increased by 8 and the growth rate was about 8 percent. 21 cubs were photographed in the 2023-24 survey, but the number of cubs was not included. Because the death rate of cubs at a young age is very high. Only 5 cubs were photographed in 2015 and 2018.

The environment advisor said that the number of tigers is determined by analyzing the photos and data of the survey. Experts from India, New Zealand and the United States were also consulted in this work. The survey started in January 2023 and ended in March 2024. 1 thousand 210 cameras were placed in 605 grids of Sundarbans for 318 days, out of which pictures of tigers were found in 368 grids. 7 thousand 297 tiger pictures are available from about 10 lakh pictures and videos. Such a large number of tigers have not been photographed before.

Rizwana said the government is taking various activities for tiger conservation including declaring 53.52 percent forest reserve, 60 km of nylon fencing, construction of 12 shelters, compensation and rewards, and formation of 49 village tiger response teams. Government as well as common people need cooperation.