Bangladesh issues Forest and Tree Conservation Ordinance 2026 with provision of Tk 100,000 fine

The Bangladesh government has issued the Forest and Tree Ordinance 2026 with the aim of preventing the occupation of forest land, regulating the use of forest land for non-forest purposes, ensuring proper conservation of forests and forest land, preventing the reduction of forest areas, and protecting trees.

The issuance of the ordinance was announced in a press release on Thursday, bdnews24.com reports. 

According to the ordinance, “Cutting any tree listed as a prohibited species or declared endangered by the Forest Department will be punishable with a fine of maximum Tk 100,000.”

It says the Forest Act of 1927 contains provisions on the management of reserved and protected forests, but there are no rules for conserving tree resources outside reserved and protected areas or in public spaces, nor are there any regulations governing the use of forest land for non-forest or anti-forest purposes.

Under the new law, natural forests cannot be used for any anti-forest or non-forest purposes. However, in the case of other forest land, the government may allow non-forest use only for unavoidable national needs and where no alternative exists, subject to Cabinet approval and based on neutral environmental and social impact assessments, compensatory afforestation, ecosystem damage considerations, and risks to endangered flora and fauna.

Using forest land for non-forest or anti-forest purposes without approval will be punishable with a fine of up to Tk 300,000.

The law provides for two lists: one containing the names of tree species that are strictly prohibited from being cut under any circumstances, and another listing tree species that may be cut with permission from the tree conservation officer.

Cutting prohibited tree species will carry a fine of up to Tk 100,000, while cutting trees that require permission without obtaining approval will be punishable with a fine of up to Tk 50,000.

In both cases, courts may also impose compensatory afforestation as an additional penalty.

The statement says that if isolated forest land of less than one acre exists within land owned by a statutory body or industrial establishment, provisions have been kept to allow the exchange of such land, with government approval, in the public interest and due to necessity, following procedures set by rules under the law.

The ordinance also prohibits damaging trees by driving nails or metal objects into them for any purpose other than commercially cultivated tree species such as agarwood. Violators will be slapped with a fine of up to Tk 20,000.

In addition, the ordinance also defines the duties and responsibilities of the Forest Department, along with general provisions on forest and tree.

On Jan 4, the Advisory Council approved the Forest and Tree Conservation Ordinance, 2025.

At that time, Environment Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan said, “This will strengthen environmental security and play a supportive role in conserving a safe natural environment for future generations.”

The ministry says the Forest Act of 1927, which has been enforced for nearly 100 years, is no longer applicable in light of current environmental realities and climate change.

“To address challenges such as population growth, the pressures of urbanisation, illegal occupation and forest encroachment, the new Forest and Tree Conservation Ordinance, 2025 has been introduced.”