The President has issued the “Forest and Tree Conservation Ordinance, 2026”, which imposes a maximum fine of BDT 20,000 for harming trees using nails or other metallic objects.
The gazette was published on Tuesday (January 7) by the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law. The ordinance explicitly prohibits damaging trees with nails or metal for any purpose other than commercial production. Violators can be fined up to BDT 20,000 by the court.
Under the new ordinance, with prior approval from forest conservation officers, trees can be felled or removed from gazetted forests, unclassified state forests, social forests, government, autonomous, and educational institutions, and other public areas, as per Sections 4 and 6 of the Forest Act, 1927.
The Chief Conservator of Forests will assign divisional forest officers as tree conservation officers to enforce the ordinance. Trees declared protected or identified as endangered by the Forest Department cannot be cut under any circumstances.
However, trees on privately owned land may be cut with approval, provided the applicant submits a formal request specifying the tree species, number, approximate height, girth at breast height, and the reason for cutting. After verification and on-site inspection, a written decision must be issued within 30 days of application.
The ordinance also stipulates a maximum fine of BDT 100,000 for illegal tree felling.
