DHAKA - Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Abdul Awal Mintoo today stressed the urgent need for protecting the Sundarbans, the country’s sole natural habitat of Bengal tigers, to ensure the survival of the big cat species. "Conserving tigers means conserving the Sundarbans. If the Sundarbans is not protected, there will be no tiger," he said at a function at Ban Bhaban in the capital.
The meeting, arranged by the Bangladesh Forest Department in association with IUCN Bangladesh, marked Global Tiger Day 2026. Mintoo, speaking as the chief guest, highlighted the government’s initiatives to protect the environment and biodiversity, including the National Green Mission launched by Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.
The minister noted that the tiger, Bangladesh’s national animal, was once found in all forests of the country but is now restricted to the Sundarbans. He emphasized the tiger’s role as a natural guard of the forest and a keystone species in maintaining the food chain.
Mintoo mentioned that the tiger is classified as a critically endangered species by the IUCN. He cited statistics showing a drastic decline in the global tiger population from over one lakh in 1900 to 5,574 currently. The government has formed a 10-member commission to conserve wildlife habitats and raise awareness.
The minister also announced the preparation of a 10-year integrated resources management plan (2026-2035) for the Sundarbans and the formulation of the National Tiger Recovery Programme. He credited various programmes by the Forest Department for the increase in tiger population in the Sundarbans.
