The mangrove tiger population in Sundarbans is less than previously believed According to official sources, after a census in which hidden cameras were used to count them. Currently, only Around 100 tigers remain in the Sundarbans delta, an alarmingly low figure. In previous censuses, carried out in 2004, it was estimated that around 440 tigers inhabited this vast area of ​​mangroves, one of the largest in the world.
The unique ecosystem of the Sundarbans
The Sundarbans mangrove forest in the Ganges River Delta is the largest in the world and a natural heritage declared by UNESCO in 1987. This ecosystem is home not only to the largest reserve of Bengal tigers, but also to a rich biodiversity that includes saltwater crocodiles, dolphins, several species of reptiles and more than 400 species of birds. This region, spread across India and Bangladesh, is made up of an intricate network of rivers, canals and small islands that are constantly changing shape due to the action of the tides. This constant movement makes the habitats of the animals particularly fragile.
The ecogeography of the Sundarbans is dictated by tides, with two high tides and two low tides daily. These tides can raise the water level by up to 8 metres, flooding parts of the forest and creating new islands and channels, which also contributes to the creation of temporary habitats. Within this zone, tigers have adapted to swimming, something unique among Bengal tigers.
A worrying decline
Factors that have influenced the decline in the tiger population in the Sundarbans include poaching, human pressure on their habitats and the climate change, which has led to rising sea levels and increased water salinity. These changes not only affect the behaviour of tigers, but also the availability of their prey, such as deer and wild pigs, forcing them to seek food in areas inhabited by humans, increasing the risk of conflict.
Recent censuses, using hidden cameras at more than 600 strategic points, have provided more precise figures for the tiger population. In the Bangladeshi section of the mangrove, surveys have revealed that the number of tigers is between 83 and 130, with an average of 106 tigers, well below previous estimates of 440 tigers.
Impact of climate change and development
El climate change is one of the biggest challenges for tiger conservation in the Sundarbans. Rising sea levels could wipe out large areas of mangroves by 2070, according to some studies. In addition, the cyclonic storms, which are becoming more frequent and intense, have devastated both tiger habitat and the resources of local communities. Cyclones such as Amphan in 2020 destroyed not only forest areas but also the borders between tiger habitats and human areas, increasing dangerous encounters.
Industrial development has also had a significant impact. The construction of new shipping routes and roads close to mangroves has led to increased habitat fragmentation and facilitated poachers’ access to previously inaccessible areas. Despite protective measures implemented by the governments of India and Bangladesh, such as the creation of protected zones and the installation of fences, human-tiger conflict remains a critical concern.
Conservation measures in progress
To reduce this conflict, measures have been implemented «tiger fences», structures designed to keep tigers away from villages. These fences have proven effective until they are destroyed by cyclones. Currently, organizations such as WWF are working on rebuilding these barriers, using more resistant materials to prevent future damage caused by weather events.
In addition to physical barriers, local governments are enhancing education and awareness programs in communities near mangroves, teaching people how to coexist more safely with tigers. Efforts to reduce poaching have also been stepped up, with more frequent patrols in critical areas and the use of advanced technology such as radio telemetry to track tiger tracks.
Hope for the Bengal tiger
Despite the bleak outlook, some indicators suggest there is still hope for the recovery of bengal tigersIn Nepal, for example, tiger numbers have increased significantly. This success is due to effective conservation policies and the creation of protected areas. However, in the Sundarbans the situation is more complex, due to population density and the devastating effects of climate change.
Initiatives in the Sundarbans, such as mangrove reforestation and expansion of protected areas, could have a positive impact. Some experts also believe that a combination of climate change mitigation measures and increased funding for Bengal tiger conservation could be key to future success.
Monirul Khan, a renowned professor of zoology and expert on felines, has stressed that tiger conservation in the Sundarbans must be a priority, as its extinction in this area would lead to the loss of a unique ecosystem in the world.
The Bengal tiger continues to fight for its survival in the Sundarbans. Although its numbers are declining, improved census methodologies and conservation measures offer a ray of hope for its future.