Tuku calls for greater awareness for tiger conservation

State Minister for Fisheries and Livestock Sultan Salahuddin Tuku today (Wednesday) called on all concerned to raise public awareness to conserve wildlife, including tigers.

In this regard, he stressed the need to instil a conservation mindset among the younger generation to help protect wildlife.

The state minister made the remarks while speaking to the media after a rally organised by the Bangladesh National Zoo in Mirpur to mark International Tiger Day 2026.

"Tigers are among the world's most important wild animals and an integral part of biodiversity," he said.

He said that nearly 100 years ago, the global tiger population was around 100,000, but it has now declined to about 5,000. The figures clearly indicate that this important species is under serious threat.

Tuku expressed concern that if effective measures are not taken immediately to protect tigers, the species could face a critical situation in the future.

He said the Sundarbans, the country's only mangrove forest, is home to 124 tigers, while another 15 are kept at the Bangladesh National Zoo and about 50 are in other zoos across the country.

As the tiger is a national asset, the government will take the necessary steps to protect this endangered species so that future generations can learn about tigers and understand the importance of their conservation, he said.

Responding to a question about the tiger census and its transparency, the state minister said the census is conducted under the supervision of the Forest Department and is not the responsibility of the Ministry of Fisheries and Livestock.

He said the Forest Department conducts the census through its own process while maintaining transparency.

Later, the state minister inaugurated a souvenir shop on the Bangladesh National Zoo premises.

Fisheries and Livestock Secretary M Delwar Hossen, Director General of the Department of Livestock Services (DLS) M Shahjaman Khan, Bangladesh National Zoo Director Dr M Shahinur Alam, Zoo Curator Dr M Habibur Rahman, Bangladesh Animal Welfare Association Convener Adnan Azad, and officials from the ministry and the zoo were present.