United News of Bangladesh

The government has promulgated ‘Forest and Tree Conservation Ordinance, 2026’ to strengthen forest conservation. A gazette notification was issued in this regard by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Law Ministry on Tuesday. The ordinance provides clear rules on surveying and recording forest land, obtaining permission for tree cutting, penalties, and conditional exchange of forest land. Cutting prohibited trees can result in fines up to Tk 1 lakh and compulsory reforestation; cutting permission-required trees without approval can incur up to Tk 50,000; and damaging trees otherwise can attract up to Tk 20,000, it said. As per the ordinance, cutting or removing trees in unclassified state forests, social forests, government and autonomous institutions, educational institutions, and public areas will require prior approval from a designated tree conservation officer. The Chief Conservator of Forests will assign divisional forest officers to serve as tree conservation officers. Trees listed as prohibited or declared endangered by the Forest Department cannot be cut under any circumstances. However, privately-owned trees listed under permission-required species can be cut following the prescribed procedure and prior approval. Applicants must provide details such as species, number, estimated height, girth, and reason for cutting in a designated form. It requires a written decision within 30 days of application submission after verification and field inspection. In Chittagong Hill Tracts, tree cutting in reserved forest areas will follow rules under the ‘Chittagong Hill Tracts Regulation, 1990’, instead of the ordinance. Approval of tree cutting will require compensatory planting of the same species and number of trees in the same area. Aggrieved individuals may appeal to the Conservator of Forests within 15 days of the decision. The ordinance prohibits damaging trees with nails or metal objects for non-commercial purposes, and the Forest Department is tasked with enforcing this rule. A gazette listing prohibited and permission-required trees will be issued within three months of the ordinance taking effect, with updates as needed. Organizations committing offenses may hold directors, officers, or representatives personally liable for fines up to Tk 3 lakh. Forest officers are empowered to file cases, conduct investigations, seize evidence, and represent the department in court. The ordinance also sets out new rules for forest land surveying and recording.