Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act

Bangladesh Environment Conservation Act (BECA) is set of laws enacted by the government of Bangladesh in 1995.S Rizwana Hasan, [http://banglapedia.search.com.bd/HT/E_0066.htm Environmental Laws] , "Banglapedia: The national encyclopedia of Bangladesh"; Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka; "Retrieved: 2007-12-03"]

The Act gives operational definitions of terms that historically did not exist in the legal regime of the country, including "ecosystem", "pollution", "waste" and "hazardous substance". Seven areas in Bangladesh are defined as Ecologically Critical Areas under this law beyond the scope of the Forest Act of 1927 enacted by the British Raj. Other major preservation laws encated by the government of Bangladesh include the Bangladesh Wild Life (Preservation) Order of 1973, the Marine Fisheries Ordinance of 1983 and the Brick Burning (Control) Act of 1989. Other major preservation laws enacted before the independence of Bangladesh include the Public Parks Act of 1904, the Agricultural and Sanitary Improvement Act of 1920, the Protection and Conservation of Fish Act of 1950.

The Act followed the establishment of the Ministry of Environment and Forest in 1989 and the National Environment Management Action Plan (NEMAP) in 1992, as well as the Forest Policy in 1994 and the Forestry Master Plan (1993-2012) in 1993.Mizan R Khan, [http://search.com.bd/banglapedia/HT/E_0063.htm Environment] , "Banglapedia: The national encyclopedia of Bangladesh"; Asiatic Society of Bangladesh, Dhaka; "Retrieved: 2007-12-03"] Despite the Act and its supporting laws and policies the environmental degradation of Bangladesh continues principally under the population pressure.

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