Seven elevated tiger mounds with freshwater ponds have been built in the Sundarbans to shelter tigers and wildlife from deadly cyclones, tidal surges and worsening climate risks linked disasters events.
In an effort to protect wildlife from increasingly frequent cyclones and tidal surges, the Forest Department has constructed seven elevated earthen platforms, locally known as Bagher Tila or Tiger Mounds, in different parts of the Sundarbans under a tiger conservation project.
The mounds are designed to provide safe shelter for tigers, deer and other wildlife during extreme weather events. Freshwater ponds have also been excavated around the platforms to ensure drinking water for animals when saline seawater floods large areas of the forest.
According to Forest Department sources, cyclones and storm surges claim the lives of many wild animals in the Sundarbans every year. As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of such disasters, the need for disaster-resilient wildlife protection measures has become increasingly urgent.
Considering the situation, the department initiated the construction of elevated earthen platforms inside the forest to serve as emergency refuges for wildlife.
In the first phase of the project during the 2023-24 fiscal year, five tiger mounds were built under the Sundarbans East Forest Division. These are located at Katka, Kachikhali and Kokilmoni under the Sharankhola Range and at Harbaria and Charputia under the Chandpai Range.
In the second phase during the 2024-25 fiscal year, two more mounds were constructed at Supti under the Sharankhola Range and Mara Pashur under the Chandpai Range. Construction of these mounds was completed in December last year. Each mound was built at an average cost of Tk 24 lakh.
Deep ponds have been excavated by raising embankments around the mounds. Rainwater accumulated in the ponds will provide fresh drinking water for wildlife, while the elevated banks will allow animals to take shelter during high tides and storm surges.
During field visits to the Supti and Katka areas, large ponds and massive earthen mounds measuring around 10 to 12 feet in height were observed. Forest officials believe many animals will be able to survive disasters by taking refuge on these platforms.
Katka Wildlife Sanctuary Centre In-Charge Forester Md Matiur Rahman said the tiger mounds have been constructed at sufficient heights so that tigers, deer and other animals can easily climb up and remain safe during cyclones and tidal surges.
Sundarbans East Forest Division Divisional Forest Officer Md Rezaul Karim Chowdhury said vast areas of the Sundarbans are submerged by saline seawater during cyclones, causing severe harm to wildlife.
“Many animals have died during past disasters. Under the tiger conservation project, we started building tiger mounds to ensure safe shelters for tigers and their prey species,” he said.
He added that seven mounds have already been completed in the Chandpai and Sharankhola ranges over the last two years, along with pond excavation. “At least 20 more tiger mounds are needed in the Sundarbans East Forest Division and initiatives will be taken to implement more such projects in the future,” the DFO added.
The Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and home to the endangered Royal Bengal Tiger, is considered one of the most climate-vulnerable regions in the world, making such adaptive conservation measures crucial for its long-term survival.
