Bangladesh

Tiger population, size of Sunderbans increasing: PM Hasina Sundarbans
PID Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina

Tiger population, size of Sunderbans increasing: PM Hasina

Bangladesh Live News | @banglalivenews | 16 Jun 2021, 08:53 pm

Dhaka, June 16: Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said that both the number of tigers in Sunderbans and the size of the forests are increasing. 

"According to the 2015 tiger census through camera trapping, there were 106 tigers in the Sundarbans. In the 2018 census, it increased to 114," she said.

"The government is always sincere and determined to protect the Sundarbans and its biodiversity. No matter what steps are taken for the development of the country, it is important that the Sundarbans and its biodiversity are not harmed in any way," she said.

"To increase the size of the Sundarbans, the government has taken initiative to create artificial mangroves. Steps have been taken to expand it to the entire coastal region. At the same time, various measures, including smart patrolling, have been implemented to protect the trees and wildlife of the Sundarbans and to curb forest crime," the Prime Minister added.

The Prime Minister made the remarks in response to a question from Begum Sultana Nadira of the reserved seat in the question and answer session of the National Assembly on Wednesday (June 16).

Speaker Dr. Shirin Sharmin presided over the question and answer session. She highlighted the various steps taken by the government for the development of the Sundarbans.

The Prime Minister said the Sundarbans, a reservoir of biodiversity, now has 334 species of plants, 165 species of algae, 13 species of orchids and 375 species of wildlife.

Wildlife includes 42 species of mammals, 35 species of reptiles, eight species of amphibians, 315 species of birds, 210 species of fish, 24 species of shrimps and 14 species of crabs.

"The amount of carbon in the Sundarbans has increased from 106 million tons in 2009 to 139 million tons in 2019," she said.

The head of government also said that steps would be taken to increase the number of forest workers by updating them in order to protect the flora and fauna of the Sundarbans.

"Currently, about 53% of the Sundarbans is covered by sanctuaries," she said, adding wildlife sanctuary area has been expanded in 2017.