Bangladesh drafts waterbody law protecting fisheries and biodiversity.
The government has prepared the draft of the 'Government Jalmahal (Waterbody) Act, 2026' to bring discipline to public waterbody management, prevent encroachment and pollution, conserve biodiversity, and protect the rights of genuine fishermen.
The draft law incorporates strict penal provisions, including imprisonment and monetary fines, against offenses such as illegal encroachment, earth-filling, pollution, creating barriers to natural water flow, and destroying aquatic resources.
Speaking to BSS, Land Minister Md Mizanur Rahman Minu said, "The country's rivers, canals, beels, haors, and other public waterbodies are not just natural resources; they are intricately linked with our environment, biodiversity, and the livelihoods of millions of people. Encroachment, filling, pollution, and mismanagement over a long period have put these assets under threat. Considering this reality, the government has taken the initiative to enact a modern and effective Government Jalmahal Act."
He added, "The new law will ensure the protection, sustainable management, and rights of genuine fishermen in these waterbodies. At the same time, strict penal provisions have been kept against offenses like illegal occupation, earth-filling, environmental degradation, and destruction of aquatic resources so that no one dares to damage public waterbodies."
The Land Minister further noted, "This is not merely a punitive law; it is a comprehensive framework for waterbody conservation, environmental protection, development of fisheries resources, and safeguarding natural assets for future generations. The law will be finalized after incorporating feedback from all stakeholders to make it realistic and effective."
Officials from the Ministry of Land said that although public waterbodies are currently managed through various rules, administrative orders, and policies, the absence of a comprehensive law often creates complexities in taking effective actions. The enactment of the new law aims to bring waterbody conservation, management, and utilization under a unified legal framework.
According to relevant sources, a significant portion of the country's rivers, canals, beels, haors, and wetlands have faced illegal encroachment, filling, and pollution over time. This has destroyed the habitats of aquatic life, reduced fish production, and severely threatened ecological balance. The new law will create opportunities to take effective measures to control such activities.
As per the provisions of the draft law, a central digital database of all public waterbodies in the country will be developed. The size, location, category, and usage type of each waterbody will be registered. This will facilitate data storage and monitoring, allowing quick detection of any encroachment or unauthorized change in land category.
The draft also proposes the classification of waterbodies based on environmental significance. If any waterbody is deemed vital for biodiversity conservation, fish breeding, or ecological balance, the government can declare it a 'Reserved Jalmahal'. Any development activity or commercial use in a reserved waterbody will be prohibited without special permission.
A crucial aspect of the law is safeguarding the interests of genuine fishermen. According to the draft, registered fishermen's cooperative societies and local genuine fishers will receive priority in the leasing of waterbodies. It is expected that the new law will secure the rights of authentic fishermen, breaking the long-standing dominance of influential persons and groups over these waterbodies.
Environmental accountability in waterbody preservation has also gained prominence in the draft. Any individual or institution changing the natural features of a waterbody, causing pollution, destroying biodiversity, or damaging the aquatic environment will be brought to justice.
The punitive chapter of the draft specifies that any person or organization illegally occupying a public waterbody will face a maximum of two years of imprisonment, a fine of up to Taka 10 lakh, or both. Similar punishments are outlined for unauthorized earth-filling, dumping, or attempting to change the category of the waterbody.
Furthermore, punitive measures will be taken against anyone obstructing the normal flow of a waterbody by constructing dams, structures, or any other infrastructure. Illegal extraction of sand, soil, stone, or other natural resources from waterbodies has also been included as a punishable offense.
The draft takes a strict stance against destroying fish and aquatic life using poison, electric traps, or other destructive methods. Legal action can be initiated against the concerned individual or organization if aquatic biodiversity is harmed due to such activities.
Provisions for punishment have also been included for non-compliance with government directives. Violating any directive related to waterbody conservation or management may result in imprisonment or fines for the responsible individual.
Concerned officials stated that making grave offenses cognizable and non-bailable is also under consideration to ensure swift action against illegal encroachers and those involved in environmentally destructive activities.
According to environmentalists, the country's waterbodies are not just sources of fish production, but they also play a vital role in flood control, water retention, groundwater recharge, and biodiversity conservation. Consequently, a strong law to protect these waterbodies was a demand of the time.
Fisheries experts believe that the livelihoods of a vast population are directly dependent on waterbodies. If waterbody conservation and the participation of genuine fishermen can be ensured, fish production will increase, positively impacting the rural economy.
However, environmental organizations emphasize that merely enacting a law will not suffice; its effective implementation must be ensured. It will be difficult to attain the desired benefits of the law unless transparency and accountability are guaranteed in waterbody leasing, management, and monitoring.
Official sources said opinions on the draft law are currently being gathered from various ministries, experts, environmentalists, fishermen's organizations, and relevant stakeholders. After reviewing the feedback, the draft will be presented to the Cabinet for final approval.
