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Fisheries and Livestock State Minister Sultan Salahuddin Tuku, MP, has called for widespread public awareness and a strong conservation mindset among the youth to safeguard tigers, describing them as a vital national asset and a cornerstone of biodiversity.
The Minister made the remarks on July 29, 2026, while addressing journalists following a rally at the Bangladesh National Zoo to mark World Tiger Day.
Highlighting the steep global decline of the species, Tuku noted that the global tiger population has plummeted from around 100,000 a century ago to approximately 5,000 today. Addressing the domestic context, he shared that Bangladesh’s Sundarbans currently holds 124 tigers, with an additional 15 residing at the Bangladesh National Zoo and around 50 housed across various zoos nationwide.
“If we do not take effective measures immediately and raise awareness among the public, this species will face an even deeper crisis in the future,” Tuku warned, reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting the apex predator for future generations.
Responding to queries regarding budget allocations and transparency in tiger census counts, the State Minister clarified that tiger censuses are conducted transparently by the Forest Department through its established procedures rather than under his ministry’s purview.
Following the rally, Tuku formally inaugurated the Bangladesh National Zoo’s new gift shop. Senior officials—including Fisheries and Livestock Secretary Md. Delwar Hossain, Director General of Livestock Services Md. Shahzaman Khan, and National Zoo Director Dr. Md. Shahinoor Alam—were also present on the occassion.