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Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Md Shahab Uddin said that collaboration with India can play a vital role in conservation of tiger and leopard in the two countries.
“Bangladesh has a shared tiger and leopard habitat with India. Considering the importance of conservation of seven big cat species on earth and two critically endangered big cat species in Bangladesh, we in principal support the creation of the International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA) with membership of the countries protecting these species,” he said while addressing an international conference on tiger conservation, says a press release.
The conference held on Sunday at Mysuru University in Indian state of Karnataka was organised as part of 50 years of ‘Project Tiger’, an initiative of India for the conservation of tigers. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the conference.
The minister said, “The government is working with the determination to double the number of wild tigers by achieving the target of zero poaching with the active participation of local community. It is a matter of hope that the number of wild tigers are starting to increase, thanks to the initiatives for conservation.”
Shahab Uddin said Bangladesh government is implementing National Tiger Recovery Programme (2022 to 2034) and second-generation Bangladesh Tiger Action Plan (2018-2027).
“It includes tiger survey; genetic study; patrolling and monitoring by drone inside the Sundarbans; and capacity building programme for frontline staffs of the Forest Department and local community to ensure protection and conservation of the Sundarbans and the Bengal tiger,” he added.
A protocol was signed between Bangladesh and India for strengthening collaboration for the conservation of Royal Bengal Tiger of the Sundarbans in 2011.
The proposed International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA) will focus on protection and conservation of seven major big cats of the world, namely tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, puma, jaguar, and cheetah.
The environment and forest ministers of the countries with habitation of these species attended the conference.
