Bangladesh’s Environmental Laws: A Critical Overview

Summary:
Bangladesh, despite having over 200 environmental protection laws, faces severe environmental degradation and pollution, ranking 177th out of 180 countries in the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) 2022 and having the world’s most polluted air according to the World Air Quality Report (AQI) 2023. Key issues include rampant air, noise, and river pollution, with 158 rivers drying up over the past 57 years due to various destructive practices.
The core problem lies in the ineffective implementation of these laws, many of which are designed to benefit humans rather than protect the environment. Laws like the Environment Conservation Act, 1995, contain vague and broad provisions that allow for environmental destruction under the guise of "national interest," a term left undefined and open to manipulation.
The Department of Environment (DoE), tasked with overseeing environmental protection, holds significant power without corresponding accountability, often failing to prevent degradation. The Environment Court system also restricts public access to justice, limiting the filing of environmental cases and fostering a culture of impunity.
To address these failures, the UNEP’s Environmental Rule of Law framework suggests reforms for clear, fair, and enforceable laws, public participation, institutional accountability, and accessible justice. Without such reforms, Bangladesh’s environmental governance will remain weak, exacerbating climate crises and hindering sustainable development.