Ordinance issued: Fine of Tk 20,000 for nailing trees
The President has issued the ‘Forest and Tree Conservation Ordinance, 2026’, which provides for a maximum fine of Tk 20,000 for nailing trees or damaging trees with any other metal object. The Law and Parliamentary Affairs Department of the Law Ministry issued the gazette notification on Tuesday (January 6).
The ordinance states that no tree shall be damaged with nails or any metal object for any purpose other than commercial production. The ordinance further states that in case of violation of this provision, the court can impose a maximum fine of Tk 20,000 on the offender. The ordinance also states that the Chief Conservator of Forests shall appoint a Divisional Forest Officer as Tree Conservation Officer to implement this ordinance.
It states that, subject to the prior approval of the Forest Conservation Officer, trees in gazetted forests, unclassified state forests, social forests, government and autonomous institutions, educational institutions and public areas may be felled and removed, subject to sections 4 and 6 of the Forest Act, 1927.
The ordinance further states that no tree listed as prohibited or endangered by the Forest Department in the gazette notification shall be felled. However, trees on private land which can be felled, subject to permission, may be felled subject to the prior approval of the Tree Conservation Officer following the prescribed procedure.
In this case, the applicant shall apply by filling in the prescribed form, which shall include the species, number, estimated height, fence at chest height and reason for felling. The ordinance provides for a written decision to be given within 30 days of receipt of the application after verification of the application and inspection of the site. The ordinance has fixed the maximum fine for felling of trees at one lakh taka. At the same time, the powers of forest officers empowered to file cases in court, investigate, search, seize and handle cases on behalf of the forest department have also been determined.
