Sundarbans tiger project
Encyclopedia
The Sundarban Tiger project is a Bangladesh
Forest Department initiative that effectively started its field activities in February 2005. The idea for creating such a project was first developed during a field survey in 2001 conducted by Md. Osman Gani, Ishtiaq U. Ahmad, James L. D. Smith and K. Ullas Karanth. They realized that the Sundarbans
mangrove forest at the mouth of the Ganges River
contained probably one of the largest populations of wild tiger
s left in the world. As such, there was an urgent need to start measures that would ensure the protection of this precious area.
The Save the Tiger Fund
and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
generously donated funds to support the initial phase of research that aims to collect data on tiger ecology
using telemetry
, and study the tiger’s environment by assessing its habitat
and prey.
But management
of a wilderness area needs more than just information on the species to be protected. Personnel with skills and resources to implement conservation
strategies, and the general support of the country are also required. So from the research base, the project is evolving rapidly to also encompass capacity building
and conservation awareness activities. It has been able to do so through the forward thinking approach to management taken by the Forest Department, and the incredible support of the Bangladeshi people.
The project is administered by the Forest Department and it utilizes wildlife consultants from the University of Minnesota
to advise on research strategies and train staff. At the field level, there is a team of 8, made up of Forest Department personnel and one wildlife consultant.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
Forest Department initiative that effectively started its field activities in February 2005. The idea for creating such a project was first developed during a field survey in 2001 conducted by Md. Osman Gani, Ishtiaq U. Ahmad, James L. D. Smith and K. Ullas Karanth. They realized that the Sundarbans
Sundarbans
The Sundarbans [Sundarban Tour Booking-9051115228] is the largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world.The name Sundarban can be literally translated as "beautiful jungle" or "beautiful forest" in the Bengali language...
mangrove forest at the mouth of the Ganges River
Ganges River
The Ganges or Ganga, , is a trans-boundary river of India and Bangladesh. The river rises in the western Himalayas in the Indian state of Uttarakhand, and flows south and east through the Gangetic Plain of North India into Bangladesh, where it empties into the Bay of Bengal. By discharge it...
contained probably one of the largest populations of wild tiger
Tiger
The tiger is the largest cat species, reaching a total body length of up to and weighing up to . Their most recognizable feature is a pattern of dark vertical stripes on reddish-orange fur with lighter underparts...
s left in the world. As such, there was an urgent need to start measures that would ensure the protection of this precious area.
The Save the Tiger Fund
Save the Tiger Fund
Save the Tiger Fund was established in 1995 as a partnership between the ExxonMobil Foundation and the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, STF gave 313 grants totaling $15.7 million between 1995 and 2007, amounting to about one quarter of all philanthropic funds spent on tiger conservation...
and the United States Fish and Wildlife Service
United States Fish and Wildlife Service
The United States Fish and Wildlife Service is a federal government agency within the United States Department of the Interior dedicated to the management of fish, wildlife, and natural habitats...
generously donated funds to support the initial phase of research that aims to collect data on tiger ecology
Ecology
Ecology is the scientific study of the relations that living organisms have with respect to each other and their natural environment. Variables of interest to ecologists include the composition, distribution, amount , number, and changing states of organisms within and among ecosystems...
using telemetry
Telemetry
Telemetry is a technology that allows measurements to be made at a distance, usually via radio wave transmission and reception of the information. The word is derived from Greek roots: tele = remote, and metron = measure...
, and study the tiger’s environment by assessing its habitat
Habitat
* Habitat , a place where a species lives and grows*Human habitat, a place where humans live, work or play** Space habitat, a space station intended as a permanent settlement...
and prey.
But management
Management
Management in all business and organizational activities is the act of getting people together to accomplish desired goals and objectives using available resources efficiently and effectively...
of a wilderness area needs more than just information on the species to be protected. Personnel with skills and resources to implement conservation
Conservation ethic
Conservation is an ethic of resource use, allocation, and protection. Its primary focus is upon maintaining the health of the natural world: its, fisheries, habitats, and biological diversity. Secondary focus is on materials conservation and energy conservation, which are seen as important to...
strategies, and the general support of the country are also required. So from the research base, the project is evolving rapidly to also encompass capacity building
Capacity building
Capacity building also referred to as capacity development is a conceptual approach to development that focuses on understanding the obstacles that inhibit people, governments, international organizations and non-governmental organizations from realizing their developmental goals while enhancing...
and conservation awareness activities. It has been able to do so through the forward thinking approach to management taken by the Forest Department, and the incredible support of the Bangladeshi people.
The project is administered by the Forest Department and it utilizes wildlife consultants from the University of Minnesota
University of Minnesota
The University of Minnesota, Twin Cities is a public research university located in Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minnesota, United States. It is the oldest and largest part of the University of Minnesota system and has the fourth-largest main campus student body in the United States, with 52,557...
to advise on research strategies and train staff. At the field level, there is a team of 8, made up of Forest Department personnel and one wildlife consultant.
External links
- Sundarbans Tiger Project Research and Conservation of tigers in the largest remaining mangrove forest in the world.
- Tiger Missing Link Foundation Genetic testing data base of tigers, Saving Tigers One By One.
- Tiger Widows Serving the People to Save the Tiger.
- Tigers in Crisis Information about the Earth's vanishing Tigers.
- BBC Wildfacts: Tiger
- Can India's tigers survive extinction? Author Valmik Thapar on the tiger crisis
- Why India's tigers may yet survive Scientist Ullas Karanth on the road ahead
- Save The Tiger Fund
- Tiger Haven Sanctuary
- ARKive - images and movies of the tiger (Panthera tigris)