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Major Environmental and Related Laws of Bangladesh
Major Environmental and Related Laws of Bangladesh
Major Environmental and Related Laws of Bangladesh
Although Laws relating to environment can be traced to as early as the Penal Code of 1860, it is only
during the last decade or so that we see major environment law reforms taking place in Bangladesh.
With new development in the energy sector and rapid urbanization and industrialization, it is surely a
pragmatic step to enact reforms at this point of time if not earlier. Needless to say, further
development in this field is required before the Environmental Laws in Bangladesh is in a position to
meet the need of the sector.
Roughly, the Environmental Laws can be categorized as follows:
A. Pollution
B. Occupational Hazard and Safety
C. Dangerous substances and Public protection
D. Displacement , Relief and Rehabilitation
E. Management of Land
F. Agricultural Resources Management
G. Water Resource Management
H. Fishery
I. Forestry
J. Wildlife
K. Energy and Mineral resources
L. Rural and Urban planning
M. Transportation and Safety
A. Pollution
Various laws are in force to address the pollution of air, water and soil. Earliest legislation
dealing with pollution of the environment is the Penal Code of 1860. It contains various
provisions relating to the offences affecting the public health, safety and convenience and
offences affecting human body and life through pollution in the environment. The Code of
Criminal Procedure, 1989 also has provisions against occurrence of public nuisance through
environmental hazard. The Smoke Nuisance Act, 1905 addresses the issue of abatement of
nuisances arising from the smoke of furnaces or fire-places in certain areas in
Bangladesh. Bangladesh Environmental Conservation Act, 1995 (ECA) is undoubtedly the
flagship legislation in the environment sector. It deals exhaustively with the conservation of