The Majestic Bengal Tiger: Conservation Success in the Sundarbans
City Desk:
The Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, straddling the border of Bangladesh and India, is a vital stronghold for the Bengal tiger (Panthera tigris tigris). In a really engaging interview on August 4, 2025, Prof. Dr. Md. Anwarul Islam, the CEO of Wildteam, gave some eye-opening updates about the tigers living in this incredible place and other areas, sharing stories of conservation triumphs and a bit of historical context.
Recent surveys indicate a promising upward trend in the tiger population within the Bangladesh portion of the Sundarbans. According to Prof Islam, the Forest Department recorded 106 tigers in 2015 using camera trapping techniques. By 2018, a collaborative effort between the Forest Department and Wildteam counted 114 tigers. The most recent survey in 2024, conducted by the Forest Department, reported 125 adult tigers, reflecting a nearly 10per cent increase since 2018 and a 17.92per cent rise since 2015. This growth is attributed to enhanced conservation measures, including anti-poaching patrols and habitat protection initiatives, reports UNB.
The Sundarbans ecosystem is divided between Bangladesh and India, with approximately 60per cent of the forest located in Bangladesh and 40per cent in India. Prof Islam noted that while Bangladesh hosts 125 tigers, the Indian Sundarbans is estimated to have around 100 tigers, based on the latest available data from 2022. This brings the total tiger population in the Sundarbans to an estimated 225-250. The mangrove forest, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the only mangrove habitat in the world inhabited by tigers, making it a critical conservation area.
According to Prof. Islam, Globally, the tiger population is estimated at approximately 5,500, with India accounting for about 70per cent of this total, or roughly 3,850 tigers. According to a 2022 census, India’s tiger population stood at 3,682, with key reserves like Jim Corbett (260 tigers), Bandipur (150), and the Sundarbans (100) contributing significantly. This dominance underscores India’s pivotal role in global tiger conservation, supported by initiatives like Project Tiger and the expansion of tiger reserves.
Prof Islam reflected on the historical distribution of tigers in Bangladesh, noting that they once roamed freely in regions such as Gazipur, Sylhet, Modhupur, and other areas. However, habitat loss, deforestation, and human encroachment have restricted their range to the Sundarbans. He cited an example of a tiger killed in Gazipur approximately 100 years ago, illustrating the significant contraction of tiger habitats over time. Today, the Sundarbans remains the last refuge for tigers in Bangladesh, emphasising the need to protect this critical ecosystem.