Dhaka, April 7 -- The Parliament on Tuesday passed the Bangladesh Haor and Wetland Conservation Bill, 2026, a landmark piece of legislation aimed at the protection, conservation, and sustainable development of the country's unique haor ecosystems and wetlands.

The bill, placed and moved by the Water Resources Minister Md. Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee, was passed by voice vote.

It seeks to fulfill the state's constitutional obligation under Article 18A to protect biodiversity and natural resources for present and future citizens, while also complying with a High Court directive issued in 2020.

Under the proposed law, the existing Bangladesh Haor and Wetland Development Department will be formally regularized as a permanent body under the ...