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Published : 04 Dec 2025, 06:13 PM
The Advisory Council has approved two draft ordinances aimed at strengthening the protection of the country’s forests, biodiversity and wildlife.
The approval came on Thursday at a council meeting held at the Tejgaon office of Chief Advisor Muhammad Yunus in Dhaka.
According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, the meeting endorsed the Forest and Tree Conservation Ordinance, 2025 and the Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Ordinance, 2025.
Environment Advisor Syeda Rizwana Hasan said the ordinances would reinforce environmental security and play a key role in conserving a safe and sustainable natural environment for future generations.
The ministry said the Forest Act of 1927, which has governed forest conservation for nearly a century, is no longer suited to present-day environmental realities and the challenges posed by climate change.
It said the Forest and Tree Conservation Ordinance, 2025 had been drafted to address challenges involving population growth, urban pressure, illegal occupation and deforestation among key threats.
The ordinance includes provisions for the protection of natural forests, preservation of forest land records and boundaries, safeguarding the rights of small ethnic communities, preventing illegal occupation through advanced technology-based monitoring, restoring degraded forests, controlling invasive species, and updating the list of permitted and prohibited tree species for felling.
Separately, the existing Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Act of 2012 was found to have several limitations in field-level implementation, coupled with changes in international policy frameworks. As a result, the new Wildlife (Conservation and Security) Ordinance, 2025 has been formulated.
The new ordinance makes the destruction of wildlife habitats, hunting, trafficking, killing and commercial use of wildlife strictly prohibited and punishable offences.
It also introduces special measures to protect endangered biodiversity, alongside provisions for wildlife rescue, care, rehabilitation, research, training and public awareness.
A Wildlife Trust Fund will be formed to support these activities and promote balanced coexistence between humans and wildlife.
In addition, the ordinance ensures the active involvement of experts, local communities, educational institutions and voluntary organisations in conservation efforts.
