Where Tigers Roar and Communities Rise: Bangladesh Observes Global Tiger Day 2025
On 29 July 2025, the world united to celebrate Global Tiger Day, and in Bangladesh, IUCN marked the occasion with two vibrant events. Supported by the Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Programme (ITHCP) and the German Cooperation through the KfW Development Bank, these events aimed to raise awareness, celebrate conservation progress, and strengthen community-based efforts to protect wild tigers and their habitats.
Bangladesh’s commitment to tiger conservation was on full display as government representatives, academics, youth groups, civil society, and local communities came together with a shared goal: safeguarding the Bengal tiger and the Sundarbans ecosystem.
Tigers in Peril, Hope in Action
The Bengal tiger, listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, faces ongoing threats from poaching, habitat destruction, declining prey population, and climate change. In Bangladesh, the national Red List categorizes the species as Critically Endangered, with its population confined to the Sundarbans – the world's largest mangrove forests, a biodiversity hotspot.
For over a decade, ITHCP, implemented by IUCN and funded by KfW through German Cooperation, has played a vital role in protecting this unique habitat. Since 2014, the project has supported rights-based, community-led conservation methods across tiger range countries, including Bangladesh.
Thanks to collaborative efforts between the Bangladesh Forest Department and ,ITHCP, the country has seen an 18% increase in its tiger population to 125 in 2024, according to the 2024 Tiger Status Report. This success stems from habitat restoration across 10,500 hectares, improved prey-based assessment, and community response training for conflict mitigation.
National Celebration: Successes of a Holistic Approach
The first event, held at Hoimonti Auditorium, Ban Bhaban, brought together policymakers, conservationists, academics, development partners, and youth representatives.
Chief Guest, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, Adviser to the Honourable Minister, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), delivered a powerful virtual address, “Tiger conservation is not only an ecological concern, but also a matter of environmental justice. Local communities must be empowered as rights-holders and frontline defenders of the Sundarbans.”
Bipasha S. Hossain, Country Representative of IUCN Bangladesh, highlighted the organization's approach,“The ITHCP Project enables IUCN Bangladesh to collaborate with the government and local communities to develop sustainable environments where tigers survive and local populations thrive. This mission combines scientific research with local empowerment and international partnership development. Our mission targets both biodiversity protection and the people who defend the environment.
The event also featured a short video documentary demonstrating ITHCP achievements across Asia with a spotlight on Bangladesh's contributions.
Key ITHCP-supported research showcased at the event included:
- Md. Anwarul Islam (WildTeam): Implemented transboundary conservation initiatives such as the Sundarbans Museum, WildTeam Conservation Biology Centre, and Sundarbans Prakritishala to promote grassroots action.
- Professor Dr. M. Abdul Aziz (Jahangirnagar University): Conducted pellet count surveys and pugmark analysis to determine tiger prey availability – essential data for conservation planning.
The event also celebrated Bangladesh's rich culture and wildlife heritage through Poter Gaan and Pot Chitro performances that combined traditional scroll painting with musical storytelling to communicate vital Sundarbans and tiger conservation messages.
The second event, held at the Kalabagan Krira Chakra Club, was organized in collaboration with Charuputhi and the ITHCP Project of IUCN. It engaged 150 participants and 50 school children who joined a lively art competition.
The colourful artwork expressed themes of hope, imagination, and deep affection for tigers and nature. Dr. M. A. Aziz shared his tiger conservation experience during the storytelling session. The school students received thermal water bottles featuring tiger artwork by Tania Zakir, designed in line with ITHCP branding and eco-friendly specifications. The Poter Gaan and Pot Chitro performance through music and dance brought tiger conservation stories to life for children. The two events demonstrated IUCN Bangladesh's integrated approach – combining scientific research, community involvement, and cultural outreach.
IUCN extends its gratitude to all partners, including the Bangladesh Forest Department, Charuputhi, academic institutions, and students, for making Global Tiger Day 2025 a successful event. Tiger conservation goes beyond species protection. It’s about preserving the cultural aspects and ecological systems that support tiger populations.
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