Dhaka, Jan. 23 -- The government has promulgated the "Control of Land Utilisation and Farm Land Protection Ordinance, 2026" introducing penalties of up to three years' imprisonment or Tk 1 million in fines or both for misuse of land, including agricultural land.

The Ordinance stipulates that cultivated land must not be destroyed under any circumstances. However, its provisions will not apply to the hill districts of Rangamati, Bandarban and Khagrachhari.

The President of Bangladesh issued this ordinance on January 19, while the Legislative and Parliamentary Affairs division of the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs has published a gazette notification.

Under the new law, construction of any structures on land used for t...