Proposal raised in parliament for special allowance for ‘tiger widows’ of Sundarbans
The proposal was raised by Nazrul Islam, member of parliament for Satkhira-4, during the question-answer session in the Jatiya Sangsad today (15 March).
A lawmaker has proposed introducing a special allowance and rehabilitation support for 'tiger widows' – women whose husbands were killed in tiger attacks in areas surrounding the Sundarbans.
The proposal was raised by Nazrul Islam, member of parliament for Satkhira-4, during the question-answer session in the Jatiya Sangsad today (15 March).
In response, State Minister for Social Welfare Farzana Sharmin said the government would consider the matter through discussions and take necessary steps if deemed feasible.
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Raising the issue, the MP said around 30-40% of people in his coastal constituency depend on the Sundarbans for their livelihood, and some men die in tiger attacks while collecting forest resources.
"When these men are killed by tigers, their wives are locally known as 'tiger widows'," he told the parliament, adding that the government also earns significant revenue from the forest.
He also recalled that during the tenure of former minister Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujahid, there had been a plan to establish an institution to support such families, including education facilities for their children, but the initiative was not implemented.
Responding to the query, the state minister said the government is working to include disadvantaged groups currently outside the social safety net programmes.
She added that the government would examine whether a separate allowance or institutional support could be introduced for tiger widows and their families after further discussions.
