The government has introduced tougher penalties for illegal tree felling through the “Forest and Tree Conservation Ordinance, 2026,” which has now been promulgated by the President.
As per the new law, cutting any tree listed as prohibited or declared endangered by the Forest Department may result in a fine of up to Tk 1 lakh, along with mandatory compensatory afforestation. The Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Law Ministry issued the gazette notification on Wednesday.
The ordinance sets out detailed provisions on forest land survey and records, tree-felling permissions, penalties, and conditional exchange of forest land. It specifies that felling of trees included in the prohibited or endangered list is strictly banned. However, trees on privately owned land that fall under the permissible category may be cut only after securing prior approval from designated tree conservation officers.
Applicants will need to provide information such as species, quantity, height and reason for felling in a prescribed form, and a written decision must be issued within 30 days.
A separate framework will apply in the Chittagong Hill Tracts. Where permission is granted, replanting of specified numbers of trees in the same area will be compulsory. Aggrieved applicants will have the right to appeal within 15 days.
The ordinance further states that advance approval will not be required in the case of diseased or dead trees, trees uprooted in storms, trees posing immediate risk to life or property, or those obstructing communication routes. However, causing damage to trees by inserting nails or metal objects for non-commercial purposes has been completely prohibited.
Penalties prescribed Under the ordinance:
Felling of prohibited trees: fine up to Tk 1 lakh along with compensatory plantation
Violation of conditions for permitted felling: fine up to Tk 50,000 Damage to trees in violation of restrictions: fine up to Tk 20,000
If the offence is committed through an organisation, the responsible officer or representative may be held personally liable and fined up to Tk 3 lakh. The ordinance also authorises designated forest officials to file cases, investigate offences, conduct searches and seizures, and pursue prosecution on behalf of the Forest Department.
Forest land survey and record system
All notified forest land—whether tree-covered or not—will be recorded in the name of the Forest Department. Protected and acquired forest land will remain recorded under the Deputy Commissioner but managed by the Forest Department. Priority initiatives have been mandated for fresh surveys, boundary demarcation, and record updating. Government khas land located inside forest areas may be transferred in favour of the Forest Department, and private land may be acquired and declared as forest in public interest—subject to safeguarding customary land rights in areas inhabited by ethnic communities.
Conditional exchange of forest land
Where an industrial or statutory entity holds isolated forest patches of less than one acre within its premises, land exchange may be allowed on public-interest grounds with approval from the head of government. In such cases, the entity must hand over double the area of encumbrance-free adjacent land to the Forest Department, which will then be declared a reserved forest.
Environmental experts say the new ordinance strengthens the legal framework for forest and tree conservation and is expected to bolster public awareness, protect biodiversity, and support national efforts to combat climate change.
