State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku has called for raising mass awareness to conserve tigers and other wildlife. Speaking at a rally organized by the Bangladesh National Zoo in Mipur to mark International Tiger Day-2026, he stressed the importance of developing a conservation mindset among the new generation.
Tuku highlighted that tigers are a crucial part of global biodiversity. He noted that the tiger population has declined drastically from around 100,000 nearly 100 years ago to approximately 5,000 today, indicating a serious threat to the species.
Expressing concern over the declining tiger numbers, Tuku warned that immediate protective measures are necessary to prevent the species from facing a critical situation in the future. He mentioned that Bangladesh, home to the Sundarbans—the country's only mangrove forest with 124 tigers—must take steps to ensure the survival of this national asset.
The state minister clarified that the tiger census is conducted under the supervision of the forest department, not the ministry of fisheries and livestock. He assured that the forest department maintains transparency in their census process.
The event also saw the inauguration of a souvenir shop at the national zoo premises by Tuku. Officials from the ministry, zoo, and animal welfare associations were present at the rally.
