Tiger, deer sightings surge in Sundarbans after year of intensified conservation push
However, forest bandit activities, limited manpower and the region’s difficult geography remain major challenges for the Sundarbans.
The presence of tigers, deer and birds, along with other wildlife, has increased in the eastern part of the Sundarbans over the past year following coordinated anti-poaching and conservation drives.
According to the Forest Department, reduced poisoning and deer hunting, restrictions on illegal fishing in wildlife sanctuaries, and strengthened patrol activities have helped restore the forest ecosystem.
Forest officials, forest-dependent communities and tourists have all reported increased wildlife sightings.
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However, forest bandit activities, limited manpower and the region's difficult geography remain major challenges for the Sundarbans.
Anti-poaching drives and trap recovery
The divisional forest officer (DFO) of the Eastern Sundarbans, Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury, said "unprecedented" operations were carried out against wildlife crimes between May 2025 and April 2026.
During the period, authorities recovered around 114,553 feet (approximately 35 kilometres) of deadly loop traps used for deer hunting. In addition, 813 sticky traps and 2,294 foot snares were removed.
According to the Forest Department, failure to remove the traps could have resulted in the deaths of thousands of deer, wild boars, monkeys and even tigers.
A total of 70 poachers involved in setting traps were arrested and sent to court.
Forest officials said continuous drives against poachers significantly reduced deer hunting and disrupted the illegal venison trade.
Data from the Forest Department shows that recovered venison dropped from 750kg last year to only 250kg this year.
Authorities attributed the decline to the extensive recovery and destruction of traps inside the forest.
Increased surveillance and enforcement
To curb poaching in the Eastern Sundarbans, the department has strengthened foot patrols, smart surveillance and drone monitoring.
Over the past year, authorities conducted 474 drives in the forest, filing 241 cases and arresting 377 offenders. Cases under the Forest Act were also filed against another 396 people.
During the drives, officials seized 448 boats and trawlers, 8,381 illegal crab-catching devices, 300 feet of nets, 724kg of fish caught using poison, 1,066kg of crabs and 250kg of venison.
Forest officials said the decline in venison supply in illegal markets pushed prices up from Tk500 to Tk1,500 per kilogram.
Officials and locals said the positive changes came under the leadership of DFO Rezaul and through the sincerity of Forest Department personnel.
Wildlife sightings on the rise
Fishermen and honey collectors from areas adjacent to the Sundarbans in Sarankhola, including Asad Munshi and Barek Hawlader, said they have been entering the forest for 14 to 15 years and now regularly encounter tiger footprints while fishing or collecting honey. They also occasionally hear tiger calls.
They said sightings of deer and wild boars have increased compared to previous years, while crocodiles and swimming tigers are also seen more frequently crossing rivers.
Locals further said the number of birds, including brown-winged kingfishers, stork-billed kingfishers, ruddy kingfishers, crimson sunbirds, adjutant storks, brahminy kites, white-bellied sea eagles and black-headed parakeets, has also increased across riverbanks, forest canals and different layers of the forest canopy.
Experts said deer are the principal herbivores of the Sundarbans and one of the main prey species of the Royal Bengal Tiger.
An increase in deer populations and safer movement naturally encourages greater tiger activity.
They added that reduced wildlife hunting, control of poison fishing and fewer illegal entries into protected sanctuaries have created a more favourable environment for birds and other wildlife.
Sanctuary protection and community awareness
The Forest Department claimed that illegal fish and crab harvesting in sanctuary areas such as Katka, Kochikhali, Kokilmoni and Tiar Char has nearly dropped to zero over the past year.
During this time, 300 fishermen were arrested and jailed for illegal entry and poison fishing inside the forest.
Authorities also removed illegal entanglement nets from dolphin sanctuaries, promoted plastic-free tourism spots and intensified drone surveillance in fire-prone areas, including Dhansagar, Kolmotegi, Nangli, Amurbunia and Dasher Bharani.
Officials said awareness campaigns among forest-adjacent communities have also changed public attitudes toward wildlife.
Over the past year, residents in Sarankhola rescued and safely returned three spotted deer, one tiger and 37 pythons that had strayed into villages instead of killing them.
Despite occasional human-wildlife conflicts, tolerance toward animals such as snakes and tigers has increased among local communities, according to forest officials.
However, sources familiar with the matter said several organised forest bandit groups are still active in the Sundarbans, creating fresh security concerns for fishermen and honey collectors.
They also noted that the vast size of the forest, shortage of manpower and the loss of navigability in many rivers and canals connected to nearby settlements have made illegal entry into the forest easier for criminals.
Still, forest guards continue their efforts despite limited resources and numerous constraints.
DFO Rezaul said, "If the forest remains healthy, wildlife will survive. Local community involvement is the most important factor in protecting the forest."
He added that protecting the tiger, which sits at the top of the forest food chain, is essential for preserving the Sundarbans ecosystem.
According to Forest Department data, the tiger population stood at 125 in the 2024 survey. Officials hope the current conservation efforts will increase tiger numbers by another one-fourth in the next survey.
Institute for Integrated Studies on the Sundarbans and Coastal Ecosystems Director Md Raihan Ali said all components of an ecosystem depend on one another and that the data from the East Sundarbans Division could indicate positive ecological changes.
He said the Forest Department, being the principal management authority, would naturally have a major impact through its conservation activities.
State Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shaikh Faridul Islam said his ministry is prepared to take all necessary measures to protect the Sundarbans.
He added that joint force operations against forest bandits are continuing and stressed that cooperation from all citizens is needed to protect the country's natural resources.
