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Published : 10 Jan 2026, 01:19 AM
The interim government has introduced a fresh law to protect forests and wildlife, banning picnics in national parks.
Non-compliance could lead to up to three years of imprisonment or a fine.
The law also provides for punishment for filming without permission in places such as safari parks, eco-parks, and botanical gardens.
An ordinance has been issued by the law, justice, and parliamentary affairs ministry on Wednesday.
Section 19 of the law slaps 14 restrictions on visitors to wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. It prohibits picnics inside the parks.
Violation of any of the restrictions can result in a maximum of three years’ imprisonment, a fine of up to Tk 300,000, or both. A repetition of the offence could lead to a maximum of five years’ imprisonment or a fine of up to Tk 400,000, or both.
According to the Forest Department, Bangladesh has 25 wildlife sanctuaries and 19 national parks. The parks are traditionally the most popular destination for picnickers. In some national parks, it is none other than the government organising picnic events for a charge.
The ordinance makes it mandatory to seek the opinions of local communities to determine the boundaries of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks. No commercial establishments or brick kilns can be set up within two kilometres of protected areas.
The law also completely prohibited cultivation, extraction of mineral resources, and introduction of invasive foreign plant species in the sanctuaries. It, however, includes special provisions for compensation to sustain traditional rights and livelihoods of forest-dependant communities.
Section 22 of the new law imposes 12 types of restrictions in safari parks, eco-parks, botanical gardens, wildlife breeding centres, and special biodiversity conservation areas. The restrictions include a ban on filming or making documentaries without permission. Violating this law can result in up to six months’ imprisonment or a fine of Tk 50,000.
Ferdous Ahmed Uzzal, general secretary of the Environment and Climate Change Movement (Porija), said, “Bangladesh does not lack laws; what is lacking is the mindset to follow them. Broad punitive measures alone will not bring significant change.”
He said educating people on respecting forests and wildlife is more effective than relying solely on fines and punishments. He advised teaching children to appreciate nature and wildlife before introducing penalties.
Under Section 41(1) of the new law, hunting tigers or Asian elephants carries 2 to 7 years’ imprisonment and fines of Tk 1 lakh to a million. Committing the offences a second time raises the punishment to 12 years of imprisonment and a Tk 1.5 million fine.
Hunting other wildlife—including bears, wolves, monkeys, deer, eagles, otters, pangolins, turtles, and reptiles—carries up to 3 years’ imprisonment or Tk 300,000 in fines or both. A repeat of the offence increases the punishment to 5 years’ imprisonment or a Tk 500,000 fine, or both.
The law protects heritage, sacred, and old trees and customary groves; prohibits destruction without life-saving reasons; and allows forest officers to arrest offenders without a magistrate’s order. Violators face up to 6 months’ imprisonment or a fine of Tk 50,000.
