NATIONAL TIGER RECOVERY PROGRAMME OF BANGLADESH Dr. Tapan Kumar Dey Conservator of Forests, Wildlife Conservation Circle, Forest Department Mrs. Jahan Ara Begum Deputy Sectretary, MoEF, Govt. of Bangladesh.

Over View of Tiger Status In Bangladesh: Tiger lived in Bangladesh for centuries, but at present it had become endangered in the country. It has been reported that tiger were present in major district of the country in 1930s. Now, habitat degradation, fragmentation, monoculture, encroachment, forest clearing, legal hunting, illegal poaching has caused the tiger habitat and number reduced to a minimum state. The Sundarban (6017 sq. km) is the only habitat where the tigers are still thriving in Bangladesh. The Sundarban is densely covered by mangrove forests, and is one of the largest reserves for the wild tiger. Sundarban has got three wildlife sanctuaries (1,39,000 hectares) which is 23% of the total area of the forests. The three wildlife sanctuaries of Sundarban is declared as a world heritage site by UNESCO in 1997. The last population census indicates tiger population in Bangladesh Sundarban varies form 400-450.  

Wild Tiger Population Survey in Sundarban, Bangladesh. Year Organization/ Writer Estimated number Estimation method 1975 Hendrichs 350 Interview with forest department and local people* 1971 Forest Department 320 - 1982 Forest Department, Zoology Department, DU 450 Pugmark Method* 1992 359 Interview with the forest worker* 1993 Dr. K. M. Tamang 362 2004 Forest Department and United Nation Development Program (UNDP) 440 (Male-121, Female-298 and Calf-21) Pugmark Method**

Present Prey Base Status The main prey base of tiger is Spotted Deer (Axis axis) and occasionally they prey on Wild Boar (Sus scrofa), Barking Deer (Muntiacus muntjak) and Rhesus Monkey (Macaca mulatta) etc. The systematic survey of Spotted Deer population was done in 2000-2002 using there different census methods and population size was 83,000 (Dey, T.k. 2005). The population density varies with the vegetation types. The mean density of Spotted Deer was lowest (3 sq. km.) in Pure Sundri forest of north-eastern side of the Sundarban and highest was in the Keora-Gewa- open grass land in the south-eastern part of the forest.

Tiger-Human Conflict Bangladesh also suffer high level of Tiger-Human Conflict and on an average 25-40 peoples are killed by the tiger every year. On an average 2-3 tigers (stray-tiger) killed by the local people per year. Human killing incidences are more is the north-western side of the forests. Due to human-killing & livestock depredation incidence, killing of stray tigers by affected local communities in increasing. Tigers are directly threatened by poaching to supply the increasing demand for tiger products.

Poaching and Degradation Poaching of prey further reduces the capacity of the forest to support tigers, and unsustainable forest use and climate change threaten to reduce the area in which tigers can live. There are many threats to the Sundarban forest and some of these threats are sea label rise, fresh water flow, industrial pollution and polder construction. Other threats are non-timber forest products collection, tree diseases, illegal timber felling, planning of mineral & gas extraction etc.

Vision And Goals of BTAP Response of Bangladesh for Implementation of Tigers Action Plan Bangladesh Forest Department with collaboration of Wildlife Trust of Bangladesh (WTB) has developed a national tiger action plan (2009-2017) to lay out the conservation actions that need to be undertaken in order to save tigers and their forests. Vision And Goals of BTAP Vision Protected tiger landscapes in Bangladesh, where wild tigers thrive at optimum carrying capacities* and which continue to provide essential ecological services to mankind.

Goals of BTAP Goals to address threats Increase or stabilise the Sundarbans tiger population Maintain sufficient prey base to support the Sundarbans tiger population Maintain sufficient habitat to support the Sundarbans tiger and prey populations Assess the viability of tiger populations in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Goals to address challenges Improve conservation capacity in the FD and mainstream tiger conservation into the GoB's development agenda Improve law enforcement to ensure protection of tiger, prey, and habitat Build capacity to implement awareness and education programmes Build capacity to conduct tiger conservation research and monitoring Encourage collaboration to support the FD in the implementation of the BTAP

Projects in pipeline at Sundarban Projects in Sundarban under Implementation - Management support to Sundarbans Reserve Forests - Development and Rehabilitation of Communication Systems in Sundarbans - Rehabilitation and Development of Infrastructure in Sundarbans Projects in pipeline at Sundarban - Integrated Protected Area Co-management (IPAC) Project - Sundarban Environmental and Livelihood Security (SEALS) Project - Biodiversity and Ecotourism Development in Bangladesh

Achievements During the Years 2009 & 2010 Development and approval of Bangladesh Tiger Action Plan (2009-2017) with the collaboration of Wildlife Trust of Bangladesh(WTB). Formation and training of Village Tiger Response Team surrounding communities of SRF. Formation of FD Tiger Response Team in collaboration with WTB. Training of FD staffs for immobilization, capture and release of strayed out tiger with the collaboration of WTB. Conducted tiger track survey (khal survey method) and prey population survey by WTB. Formation of co-management council and committee for the management of SRF. Formulation of compensation policy for killing or permanent disability of human by Tiger has been done.

Wildlife Act-2010 is in the final stage. A bilateral Protocol between Bangladesh and India for Tiger conservation in Sundarban is waiting for signature.   Survey of presence of tiger in Chittagong Hill Tracts is going on with the collaboration of Wildlife Trust of Bangladesh(WTB). To celebrate the Tiger Day in Bangladesh on 29 July, a comprehensive programme is taken in Dhaka and Khulna. One Deputy Conservator of Forests and one Assistant Conservator of Forests have attended “Global Tiger Initiative (GTI) CDN Conservationist Practitioners Training Programme” in India (36 days) & USA (15 days). Three high officials of Forest Department and MoEF have attended “Senior Executive Leadership Training on Tiger Conservation” in USA (7 days) funded by GTI. Several delegates of Forest Department have attended in GTI & GTF programmes in Nepal and Indonesia. One Assistant Conservator of Forests is on higher training on tiger conservation (MS Programme) supported by US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Pledges of Bangladesh for Tiger Conservation Long Term: Stabilize or marginally increase the current tiger population by reducing key threats to tigers, prey and habitat – by 2022, a demographically stable tiger population close to carrying capacity under conservation management in Bangladesh Sunderbans eco-system.   International and Regional: A protocol regarding trans boundary issue and system for effective cross-border collaboration with India to curb poaching, smuggling and trade in wildlife waiting for the approval of the cabinet. Endorse GTRP and Tiger Summit Declaration. Commit to global and regional tiger conservation goals.

National: Policy: A national wildlife conservation policy has been developed which is under the approval of Ministry of Environment and Forests. Animal Conservation Act 2010 is waiting for the approval of the Parliament. Mainstream conservation into development and shift production forestry into conservation of valuable Sunderbans ecosystem. Several development projects will be taken aiming Tiger Conservation. Establishing a dedicated wildlife institution for conservation and management of wildlife resources. Wildlife Crime Control Unit. (WCCU) is under the process of approval. New Wildlife Compensation Policy for tiger victims and for the dead has been notified. Adoption of co-management policy is awaiting approval. Celebration of Global Tiger Day on 29th July as per Hua Hin Declaration has been finalized.

Capacity: - To develop capacity in the Forest Department for effective wildlife and habitat conservation in the Sunderbans, a new wildlife wing will be developed and in future a separate Wildlife Department will be established. - Support political transition from production forestry to conservation objectives. - Support all capacity building training programs of GTI and GTF. Managerial: To implement Bangladesh Tiger Action Plan. To add value to existing and provide alternative livelihoods to reduce dependency of local residents on forest resources. Empower local communities in decision-making through co-management. To reduce tiger-human conflicts through new Wildlife Compensation Policy. Curb tiger and prey poaching. Formation of Forest Department Tiger Response Team and the Village Tiger Response Team have been done. Tiger and prey abundance survey is continuing as per Bangladesh Tiger Action Plan in collaboration with the Wildlife Trust of Bangladesh.

Major Areas for International Support: Financial support to implement NTRP. Technical assistance for Tiger Population Census and Monitoring. Capacity Building for related professionals. Alternative income generations and livelihood support to the local community and Sunderban User Group (SUG). Assistance in Regional Tiger Conservation Program. Strengthening of wildlife administration and management. Establishment of Wildlife Crime Control Unit (WCCU).

Suggestions for enhancing Global Tiger Recovery Program:  Integration between GO and NGO Tiger Conservation programs. Financial and technical support to the NTRP. Recognition of Global Tiger Day by UN (29th July). Recognition of GTF and their activities. Implementation of regional projects.

Thank you.