Bangladesh's forests face a multitude of challenges, primarily driven by human activities, environmental changes, and policy inadequacies. The country's forest cover has been declining at an alarming rate, posing a threat to biodiversity, ecosystem services, and the livelihoods of millions who depend on forest resources.

One of the most significant issues facing Bangladesh's forests is deforestation, primarily driven by the conversion of forest lands to agricultural fields, settlements, and industrial areas. With a growing population that exceeded 170 million in 2024, the demand for land has increased exponentially. This has resulted in the systematic clearance of forests, particularly in the Chittagong Hill Tracts, Sundarbans, and Modhupur regions. The loss of forest cover not only diminishes carbon sequestration capacity but also disrupts local climate regulation, contributing to more severe weather patterns and soil erosion.

Illegal logging is a pervasive problem in Bangladesh, driven by the high demand for timber, fuelwood, and non-timber forest products. Despite legal frameworks like the Forest Act of 1927 and the Social Forestry Rules of 2004, enforcement remains weak, leading to widespread illegal activities. The forests of the Sundarbans, the world’s largest mangrove forest, have been particularly affected, with illegal logging threatening the habitat of the endangered Bengal tiger and other species. The illicit timber trade is often facilitated by corruption and the lack of adequate monitoring and governance.

The degradation of forests has severe implications for biodiversity in Bangladesh, which is home to a rich variety of flora and fauna. Deforestation, along with habitat fragmentation, has led to the loss of critical habitats for many species, including the Asian elephant, Bengal tiger, and numerous bird species. The Sundarbans, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is particularly vulnerable, as the destruction of mangrove forests threatens not only wildlife but also the livelihoods of communities that rely on these ecosystems for fishing and honey production.

Climate change exacerbates the problems facing Bangladesh’s forests. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, and increased frequency of cyclones and floods have put additional stress on forest ecosystems. The Sundarbans, for instance, is highly vulnerable to sea-level rise and saline water intrusion, which can lead to the dieback of mangrove species. Furthermore, the degradation of upland forests in the Chittagong Hill Tracts has led to increased soil erosion and landslides, which are becoming more frequent due to changing weather patterns.