Revisiting Wildlife Laws of Bangladesh

Bangladesh has a rich heritage of wildlife as well as long history of its conservation. Efforts for protection of wildlife in Indian subcontinent seem to have been initiated as far back as 242 B.C. when Emperor Ashoka passed laws for the protection of forests, birds and animals. The erstwhile British government made laws for conservation of forest and wildlife. It is often criticized that the British adopted legislations for earning revenue, but the early British efforts is also regarded as a primary step towards protection of forest and wildlife. During Pakistan period few rules were made for wildlife conservation. In independent Bangladesh the newly formed government realized the importance of wildlife conservation and passed laws accordingly and established a wildlife circle within the Forest Department. Of late the Bangladesh has added constitutional provision for conservation of forests, wildlife and biodiversity and promulgated the Wildlife (Conservation and Safety) Act, 2012. Thus wildlife conservation has got momentum in Bangladesh. This article briefs evolution of wildlife laws in Bangladesh and some issues raised by the field officers that seem to hinder optimum enforcement of the Act.