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| Protected
Areas of Bangladesh ‘Protected area’ covers an area of 2,43,677 ha which accounts for 16% of the total area managed by the Forest Department and almost 2% of total area of Bangladesh. It includes 8 National Parks, 7 Wildlife Sanctuaries, 1 Game Reserve and 5 other Conservation sites. Protected Areas include Wildlife Sanctuary, National Park and Game Reserve. Their definitions in the Bangladesh Wildlife (Preservation) Order, 1973 (henceforth Wildlife Order) is as follows: “Wildlife Sanctuary means an area closed to hunting, shooting or trapping of wild animals and declared as such under Article 23 by the government as undisturbed breeding ground primarily for the protection of wildlife inclusive of all natural resources such as vegetation soil and water” (paragraph) (p) of Article 2). “National Park means comparatively large areas of outstanding scenic and natural beauty with the primary object of protection and preservation of scenery, flora and fauna in the natural state to which access for public recreation and education and research may be allowed” (paragraph) (p) of Article 2). “Game Reserve means an area declared by the government as such for the protection of wildlife and increase in the population of important species wherein capturing of wild animals shall be unlawful (paragraph) (c) of Article 2)”. Article 23 of the Wildlife Order has provisions for declaration of Protected Areas and also has regulations prohibiting activities in the Protected Areas. 16 notified Protected Areas of the Country are as follows: |
| A | NATIONAL PARKS | Location | Area (ha.) | Established | |
| 1 | Bhawal National Park | Gazipur | 5,022 | 1974/1982 | |
| 2 | Modhupur National Park | Tangail/Mymensingh | 8,436 | 1962/1982 | |
| 3 | Ramsagar National Park | Dinajpur | 27.75 | 2001 | |
| 4 | Himchari National Park | Cox’ Bazar | 1,729 | 1980 | |
| 5 | Lawachara National Park | Moulavibazar | 1,250 | 1996 | |
| 6 | Kaptai National Park | Chittagong Hill Tracts | 5,464 | 1999 | |
| 7 | Nijhum Dweep National Park | Noakhali | 16352.23 | 2001 | |
| 8 | Medha Kassapia Natioal Park | Cox’s Bazar | 395.92 | 2004 | |
| 9 | Satchari Natioal Park | Hobigonj | 242.91 | 2005 | |
| B | WILD LIFE SANCTUARIES | Location | Area (ha.) | Established | |
| 10 | Rema-Kelenga Wildlife Sanctuary | Hobigonj | 1795.54 | 1996 | |
| 11 | Char Kukri-Mukri Wildlife Sanctuary | Bhola | 40 | 1981 | |
| 12 | Sundarban (East) Wildlife Sanctuary | Bagerhat | 31226.94 | 1960/1996 | |
| 13 | Sundarban (West) Wildlife Sanctuary | Satkhira | 71502.10 | 1996 | |
| 14 | Sundarban (South) Wildlife Sanctuary | Khulna | 36970.45 | 1996 | |
| 15 | Pablakhali Wildlife Sanctuary | Chittagong Hill Tracts | 42087 | 1962/1983 | |
| 16 | Chunati Wildlife Sanctuary | Chittagong | 7761 | 1986 | |
| GAME RESERVE | Location | Area (ha.) | Established | ||
| C | 17 | Teknaf Game Reserve | Cox’s Bazar | 11615 | 1983 |
Other Conservation Sites
| D | Name | Location | Area (ha.) | Established | |
| 1 | National Botanical Garden | Dhaka | 84.21 | 1961 | |
| 2 | Baldha Garden | Dhaka | 1.37 | 1909 | |
| 3 | Madhabkunda Eco-Park | Moulavibazar | 265.68 | 2001 | |
| 4 | Sitakunda Botanical Garden and Eco-park | Chittagong | 808 | 1998 | |
| 5 | Dulahazara Safari Parks | Cox’s Bazar | 600 | 1999 |
Sundarban- The World Heritage Site Sundarban, the World Heritage site is composed of three wildlife sanctuaries such as Sundarban East Wildlife Sanctuary, Sundarban South Wildlife Sanctuary and Sudarban West Wildlife Sanctuary. The total area of World Heritage Site is 1400 sq. km. out of which 910 km. is land area and 490 km. is water area. The three sanctuaries are intersected by a complex network of tidal waterways, mudflats and small islands of salt tolerant mangrove forest. The area has been recognized globally for its importance as a reservoir of biodiversity. This mangrove supports a unique assemblage of flora and fauna, including charismatic megafauna like the Royal Bengal Tiger, Estuarine Crocodile and the Ganges River Dolphin. The Sundri tree, for which the sundarban is named, is a endemic species of this forest. Sundarban mangrove forest particularly the three wildlife sanctuaries act as good nurseries and potential breeding ground for shrimps, prawns and many edible fishes. For outstanding natural value, the World Heritage committee of UNESCO inscribed the Sundarban of Bangladesh in the World Heritage list by their 21st session in 1997 and accordingly the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh declared the Sundarban as World Heritage Site in 1999. |