National Dialogue for the Protection of Tigers in the Sundarbans

The event was facilitated by USAID's Bagh Activity to convene high-level decision makers from relevant ministries, departments, and stakeholder groups to strengthen efforts for protecting tigers and the Sundarbans. The National Dialogue aimed to produce an action plan amongst relevant stakeholders to improve the protection of the Bengal tiger, ranging from the tigers' habitat in the mangrove forests to the law courts where poachers would be held to account. Discussions focused on several key issues, including expedited trials of wildlife crimes through mobile courts and specialized tribunals, hotspotting smuggling and poaching of wildlife, and combating wildlife crimes. The workshop brought together dignitaries from the Ministry of Environment and Forests, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Law, Supreme Court of Bangladesh, Bangladesh Forest Department, US Embassy in Dhaka, USAID Bangladesh, Bangladesh Police, and Border Guard Bangladesh. The facilitators included Md. Yunus Ali, Chief Conservator of Forests, Bangladesh Forest Department; Prof. Dr. Md. Anwarul Islam, Chief Executive Officer, WildTeam; Dr. Atiq Rahman, Executive Director, Bangladesh Centre for Advanced Studies (BCAS); and Dr. Mahendra Shrestha, Program Director, Smithsonian Institution. The first round of the National Dialogue in Dhaka discussed different aspects of wildlife crimes and agreed on a set of recommendations to expedite trials of wildlife crimes, mobile courts, and specialized tribunals. The Minister of Environment, Mr. Manju, and USAID Director Farhad Ghaussy assisted in opening the Dialogue. Participants suggested forming specialized courts in areas with high frequencies of wildlife crimes, setting up a monitoring committee to oversee the work of these courts, and using mobile courts through the DrutoBichar Tribunal Ain (Speedy Trial Tribunal Act), 2002. The second round of the National Dialogue in the Sundarbans identified and categorized the key challenges in tiger conservation, including law enforcement challenges, institutional capacity challenges, and community engagement challenges. Participants proposed potential solutions to address these challenges, such as reviewing and revising laws related to wildlife crimes, establishing a modern, interactive communications network for all government agencies, and recruiting officials at all levels. The National Dialogue offered detailed ideas and approaches on how the Government can better face the challenges and fill the gaps to conserve the tigers and the Sundarbans. The recommended actions points for consideration included reviewing and revising wildlife laws, enabling law enforcement agencies to take immediate action against wildlife crimes, and establishing a reward mechanism for citizens who report criminal acts. The event also highlighted the need for hotspotting smuggling and poaching of wildlife, particularly in the Koikhali area, where the Bangladesh border is largely unguarded due to frequent tidal changes. Participants suggested forming a composite structure in combating wildlife crime, comprising BFD, BCG, BGB, Police, RAB, and other relevant law enforcement agencies. The National Dialogue emphasized the importance of cross-border communication and cooperation to combat wildlife crimes, as well as the need for better equipment and logistics for law enforcement agencies. The event also highlighted the need for community engagement and involvement in good governance to conserve the tigers and the Sundarbans.