Bangladesh Land Law

The Land Use Control and Agricultural Land Protection Ordinance 2026 is one of the most significant pieces of land legislation in recent Bangladesh history. Enacted under the interim government, it directly addresses the rapid conversion of agricultural land into residential, commercial, and industrial use — a trend that threatens food security in a country where 40% of the labour force depends on agriculture.

The Ordinance introduces strict penalties for unauthorised conversion of agricultural land: imprisonment of up to three years, fines of up to 10 lakh taka (approximately AUD 15,000), or both. It establishes a Land Use Classification Board at the district level to assess and approve any change in land use designation.

The legislation also creates a national agricultural land register, requiring all agricultural holdings to be mapped and recorded digitally. This addresses the chronic problem of inaccurate or outdated land records that fuel disputes across Bangladesh.

Khas land is government-owned land that is not assigned to any individual or organisation. Under Bangladeshi law, khas land is primarily reserved for distribution to landless and marginal farmers. The Agricultural Khas Land Management and Settlement Policy governs the allocation process, prioritising families who are homeless, widowed, or living below the poverty line.

In practice, illegal occupation (known as "land grabbing") of khas land by politically connected individuals is widespread. The 2026 reforms include provisions for satellite mapping of khas land and a transparent digital allocation system to combat this problem.

Land disputes in Bangladesh are resolved through several channels: civil courts (for ownership disputes), land appeal boards (for revenue-related matters), and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms. The court backlog for land cases exceeds two million, making ADR an increasingly important pathway for resolution.

Bangladesh's land law framework includes specific protections for environmentally sensitive areas. The Bangladesh Water Development Board Act protects wetlands and water bodies from unauthorised filling — a persistent problem in urban areas like Dhaka and Chattogram where developers fill ponds and rivers for construction.

The Chittagong Hill Tracts Regulation 1900 and the CHT Peace Accord of 1997 establish a distinct land governance regime for the three hill districts (Rangamati, Khagrachari, Bandarban). Land transactions in the CHT require approval from the relevant Hill District Council, and outsiders face restrictions on acquiring land in these areas to protect indigenous Jumma communities.

The Environment Conservation Act 1995 and the Environment Court Act 2000 provide additional mechanisms for challenging land use decisions that harm the environment, though enforcement remains inconsistent.