Bangladesh Environmental Law: Environmental Law and Policy: a Study on Agriculture and Fisheries in Bangladesh

The present study has observed that there are around two hundreds environmental laws and policies in Bangladesh. Environmental law began with the enactment of the Landmark Public Health Act, 1875 passed by the British ruler in India. The British ruler passed several so called environmental laws, which are still enforcing in Bangladesh with some amendments and reformations. Bangladesh inherited those 57 laws passed in the British period, among them the Fatal Accidents Act, 1855, the Canals Act, 1864 the Explosives Act, 1884, the Vaccination Act, 1880 etc., are remarkable. The present study found some positive and negative impacts of fisheries laws and policies on the natural fish and fisheries environment, other aquatic resources and other sectors of environment. It would be said that the existing fisheries laws and policies encourages culture fish production instead of conserving and developing natural fisheries. As result indigenous fish species and other microorganism, aquatic plants and animals etc.; are degraded.