B Mirror Report : The President has promulgated “The Bangladesh Haor and Wetland Conservation Ordinance, 2026”, aimed at safeguarding the nation’s haors and wetlands from degradation and misuse. The ordinance imposes stringent penalties, including up to two years’ imprisonment or fines up to Taka 10 lakh, for violations.

The Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Ministry of Law issued the ordinance last evening.

Under the new law, violating any order or directive may result in a maximum of two years in prison, a fine of Taka 10 lakh, or both. Similarly, breaching a protection order carries the same punishment. The offences are cognizable, non-bailable, and non-compoundable, according to the ordinance.

The law also provides that violating prohibitions in protected haor or wetland areas will be punishable with up to two years’ imprisonment or a fine of Taka five lakh, or both. Improper extraction or use of water that harms aquifers, aquatic plants, or animals will face identical penalties.

Illegal activities such as occupation, filling, unauthorized excavation, or conversion of haors, wetlands, or sandbanks may lead to up to two years in jail or fines up to Taka 10 lakh, and the same punishment applies to construction or actions that obstruct the natural flow of water. Polluting water, soil, or the environment can result in two years’ imprisonment or fines of Taka two lakh, or both.

The ordinance mandates the preparation of an official list of haors and wetlands nationwide. District Administrators will provide data, and the government will publish the list in the gazette, with provisions for regular updates.

It also requires the relevant department to develop a master plan for protection, conservation, development, and integrated management of haors and wetlands, aligning with existing government policies, plans, and strategy documents, and to update it periodically.

The government is empowered to declare any haor or wetland as a protected area, with mandatory consultation from relevant authorities, organizations, and stakeholders. No development project related to haors or wetlands can proceed without the prior approval of the Haor and Wetland Development Department.

The ordinance empowers the Director General to determine environmental damages caused by any individual or organization, order compensation, and require corrective measures, which are binding.

Several specific offences and penalties are also detailed:

• Extraction of soil, sand, stones, or other resources from haors, wetlands, or sandbanks without permission: up to two years’ imprisonment or fines of Taka 10 lakh.
• Illegal fishing using prohibited nets, electric shocks, poison baits, or toxic substances: two years’ imprisonment or Taka 10 lakh fine.
• Harvesting fish or aquatic resources in ways that disrupt reproduction or production: one year in prison or fine of Taka five lakh.
• Hunting migratory birds or protected aquatic animals, destroying wet forests, sandbanks, or animal habitats: two years’ imprisonment or fine of Taka five lakh, or both.

This ordinance marks a significant step by the government to preserve Bangladesh’s unique haor and wetland ecosystems and deter activities that threaten their sustainability.