Sundarbans tiger population rises to 125 as conservation gains ground

A new camera‑trap survey by Bangladesh’s Forest Department reports that the Royal Bengal tiger count in the Sundarbans has risen to 125 in 2024, up from 106 in 2014 and 114 in 2018 – an increase of 19 individuals over ten years. The rise is attributed to intensified anti‑poaching measures, smart patrolling, drone surveillance, and stricter enforcement of wildlife protection laws introduced in 1973 and tightened in 2012.

Despite the growth, experts warn that tigers still face threats from poachers, illegal deer trade, habitat loss and climate‑induced changes. Between 2021 and 2026, 91 tigers died, including 58 killed by poachers, 30 from age or illness, and three from natural disasters. Conservation groups such as Sundarban Raksha amra have called for tighter control of poachers and expanded monitoring using camera traps and radio collars. The Ministry of Environment, led by Dr. Sheikh Faridul Islam, noted recent successes, including the rescue and six‑month treatment of a tigress caught in a deer trap and her subsequent release back into the forest.

Officials also reported that a list of 135 suspected deer‑poachers is being prepared for legal action, and several forest‑raider gangs have surrendered. While human‑tiger conflicts have declined, the need for continued vigilance and community engagement remains critical to sustain the population gains.