The 2023-24 National Tiger Survey of the Sundarbans has found 125 tigers, reflecting an increase of 11 tigers since 2018. The density of tigers per 100 square kilometers is 2.64. By 2018, this number had risen to 114 tigers. In 2015, the Sundarbans was home to 106 tigers.

The survey, which began in January 2023 and concluded in March 2024, involved placing 1,210 cameras in 605 grids throughout the Sundarbans over 318 days. Tigers were photographed in 368 of these grids, resulting in 7,297 images of tigers from a total of over one million pictures and videos. This is the highest number of tiger photographs ever recorded.

The latest survey also captured images of 21 tiger cubs, although they were not included in the official count due to the high mortality rate among young cubs. In previous surveys, only five cubs were photographed in 2015 and 2018.

The tiger population was determined through analysis of survey images and data, with support from experts from India, New Zealand, and the United States.

Syeda Rizwana Hasan, an advisor to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, expressed her joy at the increase in tiger numbers, calling it “a moment of pride for the country.” She highlighted the government’s efforts in tiger conservation, which include declaring 53.52% of the forest as a reserve, constructing 60 kilometers of nylon fencing, building 12 shelters, and forming 49 village tiger response teams.

Compensation and reward programs are also in place. Rizwana emphasized the need for continued cooperation from both the government and the public to sustain these efforts.