The government has promulgated the Forest and Tree Conservation Ordinance, 2026, introducing tougher measures to protect trees and forests, including penalties for damaging trees with nails or other metallic objects.
The ordinance was issued on Tuesday by the Printing and Publications Branch of the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Department under the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, according to an official handout released today. It has been published in the gazette in the public interest.
Under the new law, harming trees by inserting nails or metallic objects is prohibited, except for commercial production purposes. Violators may face a fine of up to Tk 20,000, as determined by the court.
The ordinance further states that trees in gazetted forests, unclassified state forests, social forestry areas, government and autonomous institutions, educational institutions, and other public places may only be felled or removed with prior approval from the Forest Conservation Officer, in line with Sections 4 and 6 of the Forest Act, 1927.
To strengthen enforcement, Divisional Forest Officers will be appointed as Tree Conservation Officers by the Chief Conservator of Forests.
According to the gazette notification, trees declared prohibited or identified as endangered by the Forest Department cannot be cut. However, felling trees on privately owned land may be allowed under specific conditions.
Applicants seeking permission must submit a prescribed application form specifying the species, number, approximate height, girth at breast height, and reasons for felling. The concerned authority is required to issue a written decision within 30 days after verification and on-site inspection.
The ordinance also imposes a maximum fine of Tk 100,000 for the illegal cutting of trees.
