Wildlife (Protection and Security) Act, 2026 (Act No. 86 of 2026).

This Act provides for the conservation and protection of wildlife, forests and biodiversity in Bangladesh. It consists of nine chapters and schedules. Chapter I contains the short title, date of entry into force, and definitions. Chapter II provides for administrative and financial management of forests and wildlife. This chapter creates the administrative machinery for implementing the Act. The Government is responsible for wildlife conservation and may appoint/designate the necessary wildlife authorities and officials. Their functions include preparing species lists, conservation programmes, conducting research and surveys, coordinating international obligations, supervising protected areas, controlling wildlife trade, maintaining databases and taking measures to prevent wildlife crime. Chapter III prohibits unauthorised hunting, killing, capture, possession, keeping, sale, purchase or other dealings in wildlife and protected plants, subject to the exceptions and permissions provided by the Act. It also authorises classification of wildlife and plants according to conservation status, including critically endangered, endangered and vulnerable.
Chapter IV gives the power to the government to declare areas as wildlife sanctuaries and national parks and prescribe management measures for such areas. It restricts activities that could damage wildlife, habitat or ecological integrity. The Government can prepare management plans and regulate activities such as construction, extraction, hunting, introduction of invasive species, pollution and other potentially harmful activities. It permits designation of Community Conservation Areas and OECMs, recognising conservation outside formally protected areas. It also authorises the creation of core zones, buffer zones, ecological corridors and landscape zones, allowing degraded areas to be restored and ecological connectivity to be maintained. Chapter V contains provisions in respect of permits, licences and CITES Certificates. Chapter VI and VII provides for the enforcement mechanism once wildlife has been seized, rescued or becomes involved in legal proceedings. It provides mechanisms for safe custody and appropriate handling of confiscated or rescued wildlife. The Government may establish or recognise wildlife rescue centres for treatment, rehabilitation and appropriate disposition of rescued animals. The chapter also provides for a specialised Wildlife Crime Control Unit, strengthening investigation, intelligence, inter-agency coordination and enforcement against poaching, trafficking and organised wildlife crime. Chapter VIII lays down the offences and penalties.