Global Efforts to Conserve Tigers and Protect Ecosystems

• Global wild tiger populations have recovered from 3,200 in 2010 to between 5,500 and 5,700 today.
• Conservation efforts prioritize the involvement of indigenous peoples and local communities as the foundation for sustainable coexistence.
• Bangladesh’s Sundarbans population has grown from 106 in 2015 to 125 in 2024.

Status of Global Tiger Populations

• Most wild tigers reside across 10 to 13 Asian nations, with India holding 70% to 75% of the total.
• Populations are growing in South Asia, including India, Nepal, and Bangladesh.
• Conversely, tigers are becoming locally extinct in areas like Vietnam and Cambodia.

Conservation Strategies in Bangladesh

• The government maintains a zero-tolerance policy against poaching, offering rewards of BDT 25,000 to 50,000 for intelligence on wildlife crimes.
• Infrastructure improvements include 80 excavated freshwater ponds and 20 resting mounds.
• Protective measures incorporate nylon net fencing, Smart Patrols, drone surveillance, and the Village Tiger Response Teams (VTRT).
• A 10-member commission was formed to manage habitat protection and human-wildlife conflict resolution.

Persistent Threats

• Historical tiger habitats have shrunk to only 7% of their original range due to deforestation, agriculture, and infrastructure development.
• Climate change impacts, including rising salinity and riverbank erosion, continue to endanger existing populations.
• International bodies like the IUCN emphasize that these systemic environmental issues remain critical obstacles to long-term recovery.