Dhaka, Broadcasting News Corporation: On Thursday (08 January 2026 AD), the Forest and Tree Conservation Ordinance, 2026 has been formulated with the aim of preventing encroachment on forest land, controlling the use of forest land for other purposes, properly conserving forests and forest land, preventing the reduction of forest area, and conserving trees.

The Forest Act of 1927 mentions various aspects of the management of reserved and protected forests, but there are no provisions for the conservation of tree resources outside the reserved and protected areas and in public spaces, nor for the protection of forest land. Furthermore, there are no regulations regarding the use of forest land for other purposes or for activities against forestry.

According to this law, natural forests cannot be used for any non-forestry or non-forest purposes. However, in the case of other forest lands, only in cases of essential national need and when no other alternatives are available, with the approval of the Cabinet, the government may allow the use of forest land for non-forest purposes, taking into account neutral environmental and social impact assessments, compensatory afforestation, damage to ecosystems, and risks to endangered plants and animals.

This law will have two lists, one of which will mention the names of tree species whose felling is prohibited; these trees cannot be cut under any circumstances. The other list will mention the names of tree species that can be felled with the permission of the tree conservation officer. There is a provision for a fine of up to one lakh Taka for cutting a tree of a prohibited species and up to fifty thousand Taka for cutting a tree that can be felled with permission without obtaining such permission. In both cases, the court may also impose a penalty of compensatory afforestation as an additional punishment.

If there is a forest area of less than one acre within the premises of any statutory organization or industrial establishment, provision has been made to allow its exchange with government approval in the manner prescribed under this law in consideration of necessity and public interest. Additionally, except for tree species grown for commercial purposes (such as agar), this law prohibits causing damage to any tree species with nails or metallic objects for any other purpose; violation of this provision may result in a maximum fine of twenty thousand taka.