The President has issued the Forest and Tree Conservation Ordinance, 2026, introducing stringent penalties for damaging trees using nails or any other metallic objects. Under the new ordinance, individuals found harming trees without commercial purposes could face a fine of up to BDT 20,000.
The legislative directive was officially gazetted on Tuesday, 6 January, by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law. The ordinance explicitly prohibits the infliction of damage on trees outside commercial production purposes, ensuring stricter protection for the nation’s forest resources.
Violations carry significant penalties. Cutting trees listed as “prohibited” or designated as endangered by the Forest Department could result in fines up to BDT 100,000, along with mandatory compensatory plantation programmes. The ordinance also clarifies how forest lands are to be surveyed, recorded, and managed.
For industrial or infrastructure projects requiring minor forest land—less than one acre—conditional land swaps are permitted. In such cases, industries must provide double the area of degraded forest land to the government, which will then designate it as protected forest.
Specific provisions allow tree felling with prior approval from the Forest Conservation Officer, covering government, autonomous, educational, and public institutions under the Forest Act, 1927. For personal land, individuals may only cut trees listed as “permissible” following the established application procedure, including details of species, number, height, and reason for felling. Decisions are to be provided in writing within 30 days of site verification.
Exceptions exist for hazardous, storm-damaged, or obstructive trees, which may be felled without prior approval. Commercial trees outside the restricted lists also do not require consent for felling.
For enforcement, government or private organisations found culpable may incur fines up to BDT 300,000 for offences, with officers empowered to initiate investigations, seizures, and court cases on behalf of the Forest Department.
Key Penalties under the Ordinance:
| Offence Type | Maximum Fine (BDT) | Additional Measures |
|---|---|---|
| Damage using nails/metal | 20,000 | None |
| Unauthorized felling of permitted trees | 50,000 | None |
| Cutting prohibited/endangered trees | 100,000 | Compensatory reforestation |
| Offence by organisation/agency | 300,000 | Personal accountability of officers |
The ordinance further mandates that all forest lands, whether previously recorded or not, be registered under the Forest Department. Reserved, acquired, and protected forests are to be managed directly by the department, with priority given to survey, boundary demarcation, and record updates. Conditional acquisition of private land for forest conservation is permitted, respecting traditional and customary forest rights in indigenous and hill regions, including Chittagong Hill Tracts.
By establishing clear procedures for tree conservation, fines, and compensatory plantation, the ordinance aims to strengthen Bangladesh’s forest protection framework, ensuring sustainable management of its valuable tree resources.