A joint initiative between India and Bangladesh to protect Royal Bengal Tigers in the Sundarbans has been paused indefinitely due to strained diplomatic relations between the two countries.
The Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, spans over 10,000 square kilometers, with 60 per cent located in Bangladesh and 40 per cent in India. This unique ecosystem is home to the endangered Royal Bengal Tiger.
The conservation programme, which began in February, involved cooperation between forest departments from both countries. Teams exchanged visits to learn strategies for tiger conservation and conflict mitigation.
Efforts included setting up nylon net fencing in human-tiger conflict zones in Bangladesh, a practice already in use on the Indian side.
Tiger numbers and shared goals
According to the 2023 tiger census in India, there are 102 tigers in the Indian Sundarbans. A 2018 survey in Bangladesh reported 114 tigers in its mangrove region. The joint initiative aimed to protect these tigers while promoting coexistence with local communities.
One of the key elements of the programme was community involvement. In Bengal, foresters and NGOs engaged local residents, especially children, in tiger conservation efforts.
This initiative mirrored Bangladesh’s approach and included the creation of "Tiger Scouts," student groups trained to raise awareness and prevent conflict.
Cross-Border Collaboration
In February, a group of 12 students from two schools in Kultali, South 24 Parganas (West Bengal), visited Bangladesh as part of the "trans-boundary community engagement in tiger conservation" programme.
Three NGOs—Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), Lokamata Rani Rashmoni Mission (LRRM) in West Bengal, and WildTeam Bangladesh—collaborated on the project.
Inspired by Bangladesh's methods, education centers in Kultali began training Tiger Scouts to build awareness and reduce human-tiger conflicts.
Suspension of the Initiative
Despite initial success, the program has been suspended due to political tensions in Bangladesh. “Collaboration between India and Bangladesh is crucial for protecting tigers and ensuring community safety.
Unfortunately, the current situation has forced us to halt this effort,” said a forest official from the Indian Sundarbans.
Officials emphasised the importance of resuming cross-border conservation work to safeguard both local communities and the tiger population. For now, the initiative remains on hold, with hopes for a resolution to the diplomatic challenges.
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