Tiger conservation of Sundarbans

Tiger conservation of Sundarbans

By Dr.Fourkan Ali

My conservation action or initiative affects people and, therefore, conservation of biological diversity and protection of natural environments should be ecologically and socially sustainable: this concept is now well realized among conservationists. From a narrowed concept of conservation of a given species we should try to preserve the complexity and integrity of the entire ecosystem in relation to human context. Such initiatives can serve local population which depend on the exploitation of natural resources to look at an ecosystem as a sustainable resource base for future. It also serves the interest of the local stakeholders who depend on sustainable use of their resource base and, therefore, they should be apart of what we are trying to save.

The key to survival of tiger in the wild in the long run is the maintenance of their habitats. Tiger habitats must be sufficiently large to support the number of animals that provide for an adequate genetic variety (Taming, 1993). The effect of human population growth accompanied by reduction and degradation of habitat has resulted in fast decrease in tiger population and extinction in Asia. Surviving populations are isolated, scattered and mostly confined to protected areas.

As many as eight sub-species of tiger once lived in many parts in Asia, from snow-capped north to topical jungles in the South. Now only live subspecies barely survive in the wilderness. These are Siberians, Indo- Chinese, Sumatran, South China and Royal Bengal Tiger: All of them, including the Royal Bengal Tiger are in danger of extinction.

The tiger population all over the world is declining at an alarming rate. The tiger has become a victim of its own myth. Illegal poachers trap or shoot for them for their hide, bones and organs as some ancient eastern myths about their medicinal power for healing are strongly attached to them. IUCN, the World Conservation Union, has put all five sub-species of tiger on the endangered list. In a bid to protect the tigers, we need to study and monitor the existing ones in the sanctuaries and put pressure on the authorities concerned to ensure all the facilities required for the survival of the Royal Bengal 'liger in Bangladesh.

In effort to conserve the tiger in the wild and protect its habitat we need to understand our relationship with tiger and its habitat, the mangrove forest. It is only the Sundarbans forest of Bangladesh, home of the Royal Bengal Tiger: which happens to be the most ideal tiger habitat and possibly the best of the tiger strongholds of the world.

The Sundarbans is known to be better than many other tiger habitats; but that, too, is changing. Its population maintains itself under extremely vulnerable and rapidly changing situation and, therefore, deserves full attention of conservationists and policy markers. There should be an immediate census of tiger population and constant monitoring of their habitat. The authorities must take appropriate measures to save the Royal Bengal 'liger and its habitat i.e., the Sundarbans.

The future of the Royal Bengal Tiger is unsustainable due to unsustainable and heavy exploitation of the Sundarbans. Conservation of tiger should include a study of tiger population, taxonomy, its habitat and also to what extent growing number of people depend on the same forest for their survival or make unwise and unsustainable use. It is also important to know to what extent shrimp fanning and fishing inside the reserved forest and on the offshore islands are causing harm to the mangrove ecosystem and tiger habitat.

There should be a study on tiger conservation in the Sundarbans of Bangladesh based on secondary data and information as available. Conservation of tiger is now a global concern. Without documented knowledge, planning and management, conservation of tiger is not possible. At present, there is no tiger conservation project being implemented in Bangladesh. Although the scope of this protect is very limited, it is intended to provide some necessary information for tiger conservation and to create an urgency for taking immediate action to save the Royal Bengal Tiger as well as the Sundarbans.

Tiger as the greatest indicator of health of the Sundarbans and as part of a complex food web, the protection of the species is equivalent to protection of the entire ecosystem of the mangrove forest, Survival of species in nature depends on the maintenance of ecological integrity of the ecosystem, of which tiger is a part. If the ecological processes that govern the integrity of the Sundarbans ecosystem are not managed properly it will be difficult to save the tigers.

The Sundarbans protect Bangladesh from cyclonic storms, sea level rise, pollution and provides fish and numerous flora and fauna resources. The forest plays an important role in the national economy as well as the economy the southwestern region of Bangladesh. Its provide the single largest source of forest products in the country, According to one official estimate more than one million people enter the forest in a year It is not only human encroachment but also the water regime dial decides the state of the Sundarbans and tiger population. Lack of fresh water during dry season due to dams in the catchments areas has impaired both the Sundarbans and the tiger population. Hence, saving the tiger and its habitat has national, regional and global significance.

Inaccessibility of the mangrove wetlands has attracted the Royal Bengal 'tiger which is dependent on this forest for their shelter On the other hand, the Sundarbans is protected by the tigers preventing human beings from destroying their own habitat. Therefore by protecting the Sundarbans we are also protecting the tigers.

Physical setting of due Sundarbans

The Sundarbans is the largest compact mangrove forest of the world, located in the estuary of the Ganges covering an area of about 1 million hectares in south-west Bangladesh and the South-eastern Indian state of West Bengal. About 2% of the forest lies in the district of Bagerhat, Khulna and Satkhira in Bangladesh. The forest covers an area of 595,000 hectares, of which about 401,600 hectares are land and the remaining area are under water as rivers, canals and creeks of varying widths. Of the 401,600 hectares of land, only 6,100 hectares are covered by bare ground, grassland or clearings.

Land Sea Interactions

The Sundarbans as a mangrove forest is a coupled system linked by water to sea and land. The system is not independent of neighboring areas and the ecological processes of coastal area. It is not possible to see the Sundarbans thriving independent of sea or land. The Sundarbans at the interface of land and sea is strongly influenced by external factors such as flow of freshwater and sediment from upstream, tidal charges from the sea, land and sea based pollution and sea level rise.

Three great rivers-the Ganges, Brahmaputra, Meghna and their distributors carrying fresh water and enormous sediment from upstream have contributed to the formation of the delta on which the Sundarbans has developed. The entire coastal area was once covered by forest. It is believed that the delta is subsiding at a rate of 5 mm per yeas. This process of subsidence has resulted in upliftment of the ground. An expert visit further confirms it.

The importance of interaction between freshwater; salinity sediment load and tide on the distribution of plants and physiognomic appearance of the forest has been documented for the Sundarbans (Karim, 1995) but there has not been any systematic study on their effect on animals, The species diversity decreases and forest stratum’s diversity and heights become greatly reduced with the increase in salinity Tigers, like other mammals in the area, have adapted to drinking extremely saline water; as high as 3% that might affect their liver and kidney. It has been observed that tiger likes and prefers fresh water to saline water: The dense forest cover and larger diversity of the forest provide varied ecological niches and support stable ecosystem. Any imbalance is likely to affect the whole ecosystem including flora and fauna.

Tiger Habitat in Bangladesh

Once upon a time, tigers used to be found all over forests in Bangladesh. But it is now confined only to the Sundarbans. The last tiger outside the Sundarbans where tiger population is now almost non- existent was shot in the Bhawal-Modhupur sal (Shorea) forest tracts in the 1940s. In the hill forests of northeastern parts and in the Chittagong Hill Tracts of south eastern parts of Bangladesh, tiger was last recorded to be shot in the ’80s. However tiger had disappeared from the south eastern hill forests much earlier. There is still a small tiger population in the Kassalong Reserve Forest of Chittagong Hill Tracts, according to Forest department sources.

In the East and south east of Bangladesh bordering with eastern Indian forest states, the Bengal Tiger meets with the Indo Chinese 'Tiger known as Panther Tigris Corbett. Tigers are found throughout the Sundarbans but in recent years tiger population are more constrained in the sanctuaries. It has also been found that tigers have moved further south. Some have moved near human habitation in the north. In this case, availability of food may be an important factor. It has been reported that tigers are migrating into the Indian Sundarbans where one tiger is poached a day Total tiger population in the Indian Sundarbans is on the rise, it was reported. But tiger migration within the country and across the border has not been monitored or studied.

Three wildlife sanctuaries now totaling 139, 699, 656 hectares were established in 1977 under the Bangladesh Wildlife (Preservation) Order; 1975. These are: Sundarbans West (7150213 ha), Sundarbans South (36,970.454 ha), and Sundarbans East (51Z26.938ha). Not all critical sites for wildlife are included in the sanctuary network. Although legislation rules against damage to vegetation in the wildlife sanctuaries, the Forest Department permits a variety of activities inside -- such as fishing and wood cutting. Local people are allowed to harvest grasses in the open areas within the sanctuaries and permits are issued for the cutting of Nypa along the edges of the rivers and channels.

Biomass Availability and Food Consumption

The crude animal biomass available to tigers amount to 7,221,800 kg (1826 kg/km2 X 3955km2) for the whole of the Sundarbans. The total requirement for tigers of 919,800 kg/yr therefore account only for 15 percent of the standing crop of ungulate biomass in the Sundarbans. Considering total tiger predation of 15 percent of the standing crop, it seems that the tiger predation does not limit the prey population in die Sundarbans.

Grassland and keora forest are the most productive habitat with 4200 kg/km2 biomass versus sundri, gewa, goran with 1725 kg/km2; and goran and gewa forest the least productive with 1200 kg/km2 ungulate biomass (Taming, 1993). The overall crude ungulate biomass estimate for the entire Sundarbans is 1326 kykm2. Unfortunately no detailed survey on tiger habitat or quantitative surveys on long temr adverse effect on ecosystem of the mangrove forest have been done. It is necessary to study the effects of massive uncontrolled exploitation of wildlife and increasing human activity and ecological linkages.

Tigers' main activities revolve around their food supply. Tigers in the Sundarbans hunt both at day and night. The spotted deer and wild boars are the main prey of tigers. Other prey animals include barking deer; rhesus macaques, otters, smaller carnivores, monitor; lizards and other reptiles, fish, frogs, and crabs. In the Sundarbans a tiger also eats human being and is known as a man-eater. But it is said that all tigers are not man-eaters.

On an average, a tiger needs about 6-10 kg of meat daily, Past studies based on baits and wild prey indicate a tiger needs 2555 kg (7kgX 365days) of meat per year i.e., roughly about 73 spotted deer or wild boar With a tiger population of 362 -- including adults and juveniles – in an area of 3955 knr2 the combined annual food requirement for the tiger population would be a total of 919,88 kg of large prey biomass (Taming, 1993).

Habitat Quality and Integrity

The problem of habitat fragmentation since there are no east-west corridors linking the sanctuaries and dispersion of food supply has added to the problem of tiger habitat. High metabolic demand requires the tiger to have large areas of living space. More and more people have encroached on tiger land for settlement, agriculture and fisheries -- thus shrinking the tiger habitat in size and quality. Even the solitary tiger requires a 'critical mass’ for a population to survive (Seidensticker et al., 1973), Habitat fragmentation can have long term genetic impacts on tiger population. Restricted gene flow in small population can affect fitness and survival quality.

Tiger cannot be protected by legal measures only. It requires habitat continuity and habitat quality. Three factors that affect tiger habitat quality are changes in vegetation, diversion of productivity away from the tiger's food chain and degradation of the ecosystems to a state that cannot support a population of big predators.

At present infrastructural activities such as clearing forest and building bungalows for conservators and officers inside the wildlife sanctuaries are taking place. Bungalows should be built near the riverside or existing form stations or navy bases outside the sanctuaries. The use of generators, for electricity inside the sanctuaries, day and night will have adverse effect on tiger population.

The tiger is a carnivorous animal under the order: Carnivore and family, Fieldale, There were S subspecies at one time of which 5 have become extinct. The Bengal Tiger, Panther Tigris, Tigris, is found in the Indian sub-continent, and is known as Royal Bengal Tiger in Bangladesh. This variety of tiger has not been studied in full detail.

The tigers belong to the largest cat family The tiger ls admired, feared and attributed many supernatural qualities, Claws adapted to strike and hold prey canines designed for biting and killing, short strong jaws controlled by powerful muscles, soft pads for stealth approach make tiger capable of sudden speed and burst of power It is combined with highly developed sense of hearing and vision. However its power of smell has been found to be not as powerful as the hearing ability, 1ts head and body length vary between 140 cm and 280kg. Male weighs 180 to 280 kg and female weighs among 115 to 180 kg. 1t‘s unique striped color of deep yellow orange and black are variable.

Population some

The first guess-estimate of tiger population in the Sundarbans was based on a field study by Guy Mount Fort, leader of WWF expedition to Bangladesh in 1967. According to him the tiger population was said to be between 50 and 100. The informal census was limited to space and time. In 1975, Hubert Hendrichs, estimated tiger population at 5350 in the Sundarbans based on three months of detailed study in three areas: compartments 29, 30 and 31 in the north; compartments 46, 47, 48, 49 and 50 B in the northwest and compartments 3,4,5 and 6 in the southeast. He visited almost all the compartments (55 in total) in the Sundarbans.

The second methodical study of tiger population was conducted in 1982. The investigation was carried out in 110 km2 area in the south wildlife sanctuary where 15 tigers were counted based on pug-marks. The age, sex, and class composition was: adult male 2, adult female 5, cub 6 and juvenile 4. On the basis of the result of this study total tiger population was projected to be 450 for the whole of Bangladesh Sundarbans.

The third methodical investigation on tiger population made in 1993 estimated tiger population to be 362. The estimation was made by studying pug-marks in 350 km2 in the northeast part of the Sundarbans. The density was determined at 1 tiger per 10.9 km2. Male-female ratio was one male to 2-3 females, and juvenile and cubs were found to be 40%.

The Forest Department in Khulna made two guess-estimates of tiger population in 1971 and 1992. Tiger population was at 520 in 1971 and 559 in 1992. The guess-estimates were made based on the reports of the people working in the Sundarbans.

The unbalanced sex ratio of 2.5 females to one male is considered normal. Tiger population is considered stable but for how long no one knows. Tiger population count is based on estimates that lack accuracy. Trained people need to constantly monitor and censuses need to be conducted as scientifically based as possible.

Male tiger has much larger home range and they wonder more widely. The females on the other hand have much smaller ranges and are restricted to smaller territories and to raising and protecting cubs. In 1975 Hendrichs observed a pair of stray tigers living within a territory of 15 km2 area in the Sundarbans.

Reproductive Biology

Reproductive biology of tiger has not been studied but some observance have been made while assessing the population of tiger in the Sundarbans by studying the pug marks, identification of adult and infant/cub population and female and cubs. Two cubs and a female were seen in the east Wildlife Sanctuary in March 1993 by a study team working on an informal census. Two cubs and a female were spotted outside the sanctuary at the Sapla Khal in January 1993. In April 1998 two cubs and a female were seen at tiger point (Kachikhali).

A tiger may be sexually mature within 2 and half years. Gestation grind of a female is 100:i08 days. A tiger is fertile up to 15 years. A male tiger can produce 6 litters and can give birth up to 15 cubs in her life time (2.5 cubs in a litter). It will of course depend on the, condition of the habitat.

Tiger is polygamous. Tiger mating season has been reported to be during rainy season when the forest is likely to be less disturbed. Female and cubs are mostly seen during March, April and May in the Sundarbans. Reproduction rate of Bengal tiger is said to be good in the wildlife sanctuaries especially in the East Wildlife Sanctuary.

Tiger-Human Interactions

The tiger evokes a reverence and mystery in the Sundarbans. The local people, the Bawalis specially are said to worship tigers. Hindu and Muslim gather at a mazar in Khulna for protection from tiger. Often one sees inside the Sundarbans red cloth form a mazar on display. Such are the beliefs that Bawalis are said to also to pray to bon bibi or spirit of the forest which guards all living beings in Sundarbans. It is here in the Sundarbans that the tiger is known as man-eater. It is here, that tiger is feared but not hated by local people (Montgomery1995). Tigers’ dislike of the human face is well-known and is the reason why it is believed that a face mask worn at the back of the head protects people form being attacked by the tiger. The British hunter Kenneth Anderson observed, "Man-eaters always leave untouched those parts of the victim we associate with personhood: the hands, legs and head" (Montgomery 1995).

Tiger is a carnivorous animal and is on top of the food chain. It attacks human when encountered inside the forest. This kind of chance killing has made tiger man-eater In the Sundarbans man-killing behavior of tiger was well established since 1665. During the period from 1912 to 1921, 427 people were killed by tigers in the Sundarbans. From 1948-49 to 1970-71, on an average 25 people were killed by tiger annually. Some 301 persons were killed from 1984 to 1993, an annual average of 30 victims.

The following reasons for which tiger turn into man eaters are offered by tiger experts (Taming 1993):

1.             When surprised at a kill;

2.             Unable to capture a prey due to old age or injury;

5.             When protecting cubs;

4.             After killing a man a tiger learns that man can be eaten as any other natural prey and is easier to catch;

5.             After a tiger gets a taste of human flesh he prefers it and

6.             Increased salinity in tiger habitat as well as lack of fresh water for drinking. Human casualties due to tiger show a definite pattern. It has been observed that human casualties are more during 7 to 9 in the morning and 3 to 5 in the afternoon.

Threats to Tiger

Trade in Tiger Products

There is no record of commercial trade of tiger body except tiger hide which is either smuggled or sold. There is no record of recent tiger poaching in the Forest office. Newspapers sometimes report on tiger hide being smuggled across the border.

Poaching / killing etc.

Before the enactment of Bangladesh Wildlife (Preservation) Order, 1973, tiger could be shot or killed. Annual average killing from 1959/60 to 1967/68 was about 4.5; from 1975/7 to 1985/86. 12; and due to cyclone in 1988, 9 tigers were killed, A total of 452 tigers were killed from 1912 i.e. 4 tigers were killed in a month between 1912 and

1921.

Human interference is one of the threats to tiger population.

Lack of Information

Lack of information and monitoring are the most immediate obstacles in taking up a sensible tiger management plan. The Ministry of Environment and Forestry does not have a wildlife cell. The Forest Department in Khulna does not have specific responsibility towards information collection relating to wildlife conservation. Lack of direction, lack of trained and experienced staff coupled with lack of logistics and equipment is considered main impediments too information collection.

Legal measures

The Bangladesh Wildlife (Preservation) Order, 1975 is still in effect and provides for establishment and management of wildlife sanctuaries and other protected areas. The Act needs to be revised in view of Bio Diversity Convention and UNESCO World Heritage Site Declaration in 1997. Law and order situation inside the Sundarbans need to be curbed by proper legal and management measures.

Global Tiger Conservation Initiatives and Conventions

CXTES is a United Nations administered intemational treaty drats provides protection for wild animal and plant species form over utilization in international trade through a worldwide system of controls. More than l17 nations that are parties to the treaty who meet every two year to update species' categories of protection. Bangladesh became party to CITES in 1982. Of all the tiger conservation initiatives, Global Tiger Forum is the most well-known. Bangladesh is also a member of the forum.

Recommendations

The Sundarbans has never been properly studied for wildlife or tiger conservation purposes in the past. Without a thorough study it is not possible to take up a tiger management plan. In view of the fast disappearance of tiger form rest of Mia and in Bangladesh it is important to take up a census and first hand primary investigation of Royal Bengal Tiger and its habitat on an urgent basis both by the Government and international tiger conservation agencies. Besides, following measures may be taken up immediately to save the tigers:

1.             A Tiger and Sundarbans Conservation and Management Plan should be taken up;

2.             Tiger census should be taken up immediately along with provisions for continuous monitoring;

3.             The Ministry of Environment and Forestry should have a separate Wildlife Cell or Department;

4.             There should be a National Committee for Tiger Conservation including experts from multi-sectoral disciplines to give advice and monitor conservation activities;

5.             The Sundarbans Forest Division should have a Tiger Conservation Cell in Khulna to collect/receive and preserve all information relating to tiger There should be a Field Tiger Conservation Team within the Sundarbans, This team will be responsible for conservation activities including monitoring and transmitting information to Khulna Cell every month;.

6.             A continuous monitoring system of tiger population (status, trend, breeding, feeding and human casualties, etc.) should be developed. National Committee for Conservation of Tiger Departments of Zoology and Environment in local universities, NGOs and public may participate in the monitoring system.

7.             An integrated study of tiger and its habitat should be taken up. Information should be available for planners and public for informed planning and public support.

8.             Information should be collected on tiger and its prey species compartment wise, vegetation wise and salinity wise on a regular basis;

9.             Concept of Floating Conservation Zone may be taken up to ensure smooth and undisturbed movement of animals in marine and coastal environmental during development activities such as mineral exploration and transportation on shore or off shore;

10.           The entire Sundarbans should be declared as Tiger Reserve with controlled and well coordinated human activities allowed. The present sanctuaries should be expanded and corridors allowed. The present sanctuaries should be expanded and corridors allowed;

11.           Wildlife Sanctuaries should be off limit to human activities or commercial exploitation. Floating off limit zone concept may be applied to the present sanctuaries on a selective basis to allow regeneration of forest and undisturbed tiger breeding by seasonal or annual closing down of sanctuaries by rotation;

12.           Shrimp cultivation should be brought under control. Hatcheries should be promoted and properly guided so that fish resources can regenerate, The incidents of fishing inside the Sundarbans with cyanide or other poisonous chemicals should be investigated and Stopped:

13.           Legal reforms and measures should be taken up to stop killing of tiger as man eater and deer shooting and to improve the law and order situation inside the forest and offshore;

14.           Controlled eco-tourism only should be allowed;

15.           Monitor sea level rise; salinity and other hydrodynamic and topographic changes including adverse effects of Ganges withdrawal on the Sundarbans during dry season.

16.           Enforcement of EIA on mineral exploration activities on or off shore;

17.           Control oil spill, oil pollution and other land and sea bases pollution;

18.           Exploitation of the Sundarbans as source of revenue collection should be compared to bio diversity loss and cost of Sundarbans afforestation;

19.           People who depend on the Sundarbans for their survival should be rehabilitated; educated and provided with credit. The extent of their exploitation and exploitation of forest products by private business should be studied and controlled;

20.           NCS, NEMAP and Five Year Plan should be revised to Include Tiger Conservation and Sundarbans management plan;

From a narrowed concept of conservation we have to move to environment and to sustainable development in order to be successful in the conservation of tiger in the wild. In the context of future food reserve and food security, the Sundarbans will remain an important resource potential. Tiger is an integral part of the complex food web in the Sundarbans. if we cannot protect the tiger we cannot protect the Sundarbans and its flora and fauna including one of the most productive fish breeding grounds in the region. When the population of Bangladesh doubles within the next century food and protein shortage will be acute. Therefore we need to look at our forests and wetlands as future food reserves. It is well worth investing on new areas such as environment -- the Sundarbans, the marine eco systems, and the wetlands to save something for the future generation.