Haor, wetland encroachers to face jail, fine under new ordinance

The government has promulgated 'Bangladesh Haor and Wetland Conservation Ordinance, 2026' as part of its tough stance to protect the country's ecological balance and conserve haors and wetlands.

The new ordinance strengthens the Haor and Wetland Development Directorate and introduces tough punishment, including imprisonment and heavy fines for encroachment, land filling and environmental damage in haor and wetland areas, reports UNB.

Under the law, the directorate has been given clearly defined responsibilities.

Based on lists prepared by deputy commissioners, the government will publish a final gazette of haors and wetlands.

A master plan will be prepared to ensure protection and integrated management of wetlands and obtaining the directorate's opinion will now be mandatory before taking up any development project.

The ordinance also empowers the government to declare any haor or wetland a protected area if special conservation is required based on the opinions of the relevant authorities.

The law provides for strict punishment depending on the nature of the offence.

Anyone found illegally occupying haor or similar land, filling wetlands, carrying out unauthorised excavation, or constructing infrastructure that disrupts the natural flow of wetland water will face up to two years' imprisonment or a fine of up to Tk 1.0 million or both.

The same punishment will apply to those who extract soil, sand, stone or any other natural resources without proper permission.