Survey on tiger numbers in winter
Bangladesh will undertake a survey in the Sundarbans next winter to determine the exact figure of tigers living there, said Chief Conservator of Forest Md Yunus Ali.
"We have decided to start the survey to count tiger population next winter as the period between May and September is not favourable for counting," he told BSS at Forest Bhaban in the capital's Agargaon.
The survey would be conducted by a dedicated team under a project called 'Strengthening Regional Cooperation for Wildlife Protection', Ali told The Daily Star.
“We are going to begin tiger surveillance very soon and would engage expert people to implement the programme,” he said.
About the possibility of a joint survey by Bangladesh and India, the forest chief said there is no need for a joint survey as habitat in Bangladesh part of the Sunderbans is richer than its West Bengal part.
Quoting some Indian experts who attended a workshop in Dhaka recently, Ali said there are only 60 to 70 tigers in the West Bengal part of the Sunderbans.
On the other hand, he said, tiger population was 440 in Bangladesh part of the mangrove forests as per the last survey conducted in 2004.
Ali said they would use several methods -- camera trapping, radio caller and khal (canal) survey -- to count the tiger population.
Bangladesh and India have already signed a protocol to prevent poaching or smuggling of tigers from their sanctuaries shared by the two countries.
According to the protocol, the two countries will undertake joint scientific research and launch projects to promote their understanding and knowledge of Bengal tigers, develop information systems, share research, and exchange personnel for training and education.
The two countries will start patrolling the waterways that crisscross the mangrove forests on their respective sides to prevent poaching or smuggling of tigers, the protocol stated.
Ali said a number of projects were underway aimed at improving the understanding of the ecology of the Sunderbans and improving it as well.
About man-animal encounter, the chief conservator of forest said tigers often stray into villages of Satkhira district, either looking for food or fleeing from smugglers.
"The government has taken steps to conserve and expand mangrove forests to prevent poaching and retaliatory killing of tigers", he added.
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