The study titled “Combined Effects of Climate Change and Sea-Level Rise Project Dramatic Habitat Loss of the Globally-Endangered Bengal Tiger in the Bangladesh Sundarbans,” revealed that the constant rise in sea levels—and climate change—could bring a catastrophic situation to the mangroves of the Sundarbans; the iconic Bengal tiger's last coastal stronghold and the world's biggest mangrove forest. "Fewer than 4,000 Bengal tigers are alive today," said James Cook University's Professor Bill Laurance, a co-author of the study. "Beyond climate change, the Sundarbans are under growing pressure from industrial development, new roads, and greater poaching," said Professor Laurance. "Our analyses are a preliminary picture of what could happen if we do not start to look after Bengal tigers and their critical habitats," Dr Sharif said. "We have to look after this iconic ecosystem if we want amazing animals like the Bengal tiger to have a chance of survival," he added.

Source: Dhaka Tribune February 14, 2019 09:00 UTC