Together for Tigers: Bangladesh Celebrates Global Tiger Day 2026 with Nationwide Conservation Campaign

The national celebration, held at the Bangladesh Forest Department headquarters in Dhaka, brought together senior government officials, development partners, conservationists, researchers, youth representatives and local communities to reaffirm Bangladesh's commitment to tiger conservation. The event was graced by Hon'ble Minister Mr. Abdul Awal Mintoo, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, as the Chief Guest, alongside other senior government officials and distinguished guests.

Addressing the gathering, Hon'ble Minister Mr. Abdul Awal Mintoo reaffirmed the Government's commitment to conserving the Bengal Tiger and its habitat in the Sundarbans. "The Government remains firmly committed to conserving the Bengal Tiger and its natural habitat in the Sundarbans," he said, noting the establishment of a 10-member commission to strengthen wildlife habitat protection and address human–wildlife conflict, while reiterating the Government's zero-tolerance policy against the illegal trafficking of tigers and tiger parts.

IUCN Bangladesh

Young changemakers unite in their commitment to protect the Bengal tiger

Echoing the need for science-based conservation, Ms. Bipasha S. Hossain, Country Representative, IUCN Bangladesh, said that “Nature-based interventions such as tree plantation and canal re-excavation, when implemented effectively, can play a fundamental role in restoring river connectivity, reducing salinity intrusion, and rehabilitating habitats — all critical to the tiger conservation.” She noted, however, that strengthening the long-term resilience of the Sundarbans ecosystem — the last remaining stronghold of the Bengal Tiger — will require these interventions to be guided by sound scientific assessment, careful consideration of the nature-human nexus, and robust implementation and management plans.

IUCN Bangladesh

The Augmented Reality (AR) booth at the Global Tiger Day Event

Visitors also explored a range of interactive experiences, including a 3D Augmented Reality (AR) Tiger Photo Booth, a Photo Exhibition, the IUCN Knowledge Stall, and a Conservation Commitment Wall and a Pledge Tree, where participants left colourful handprints as a symbol of their pledge to protect nature.

At the local level, celebrations were organised across four Bangladesh Forest Department Range Offices surrounding the Sundarbans, engaging students, youth and local communities through conservation rallies, school art competitions, stakeholder discussions, photo exhibitions and interactive conservation games that introduced participants to tiger ecology, threats to the species and practical conservation solutions.

The participation of school students reflected the importance of inspiring the next generation of conservation champions. Nusrat Jahan, a Grade 9 student, and Suraiya Akter, a Grade 10 student from Ganabhaban Government High School in Dhaka, shared that before attending the event they knew little about tiger conservation. Nusrat said “I didn't know that poaching deer could also threaten tigers. Now I understand why protecting the whole ecosystem is important." The event also highlighted IUCN Bangladesh's continued support to the conservation of the Sundarbans through complementary initiatives. 

Alongside the Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Programme (ITHCP), the Conservation and Restoration Initiatives in the Sundarbans Region (CRIS) Project, funded by the Agence Française de Développement (AFD), is strengthening biodiversity research, ecosystem restoration, climate resilience, and knowledge sharing to support the long-term health and resilience of the Sundarbans.

Together, the nationwide celebrations reinforced a simple yet powerful message: protecting the Bengal Tiger means protecting the Sundarbans, its biodiversity, and the communities whose lives and livelihoods depend on this globally significant ecosystem.