Amid the growing concern over the rapid fall in the tiger population in the Sundarbans following a recent census report, Environment and Forests Minister Anwar Hossain Manju on Thursday said there is no possibility of disappearance of the big cats from Bangladesh.
“There’re many more tigers captured in cages than the tiger population living in the Sundarbans. So, how will tigers disappear from the country?” he questioned while addressing a function in the capital.
He said the Forest Department may take steps to conserve tigers in cages and increase its number.
Bangladesh Forest Department organised the function at Bangladesh Krishibid Institute marking the Global Tiger Day.Addressing the programme as the chief guest, Anwar Hossain Manju said “The tigers won’t disappear from the Sundarbans, the country’s only natural tiger habitat, in his life time.”
“When the tiger population decreases in the Sundarbans, we (the Ministry of Environment and Forests) are blamed…Media publish reports in a rhetorical manner saying the Sundarbans is being destroyed,” the minister bemoaned.
He, however, agreed that the environment of the Sundarbans is adversely being affected due to tremendous socio-political influences.
Manju said a large number of people live near the Sundarbans and the forest dwellers depend on its resources to earn their livelihoods.
“As forest dwellers along the Sundarbans are increasing, we are facing huge challenges to conserve the forest. We must provide alternative livelihood options to the forest dwellers,” he said.
The Environment and Forests Minister said there is no alternative to cutting trees to meet the household fuel demand, so people are compelled to falling trees of the mangrove forest to collect wood.
Deputy Minister for Environment and Forests Abdullah Al Islam Jacob, chief conservator of forest Mohammad Yunus Ali and forest conservator Dr Tapan Kumar Dey, among others, spoke at the function.- UNB
