DHAKA: No one but the farmers will be the owners of farmlands, a new law protecting the arable land has proposed in what appears to be a radical land-reform measure.

The law also prohibits anyone other than a farmer to keep hold on farmland, according to the draft of the Farmland Protection and Land Zoning Act 2010.  

Land Ministry has taken initiative to enact the law in order to ensure the highest use of farmland, Land Minister Md. Rezaul Karim Hira said.  

He said everyday the cultivable lands are decreasing for population growth.

“The law envisages protecting agricultural land.”

Once passed, natural jungles would be conserved, river erosion stopped and hills or hillocks protected, he added.

The draft law clearly states the rights of the farmers in its Article 4 (2) keeping provisions of punishment and fines for the wrongdoers.

It stipulates maximum two years imprisonment and/or highest Tk 10 lakh fine or both for infringement upon the law.

The law, however, holds leniency as the offences would be bailable. The case will be heard with Judicial Magistrate’s court while executive magistrate may go for roving court in case of emergency.

According to the law, no one will be able to change the category of the farmland.

Building home, industry, brickfield or non-agricultural establishment in agricultural lands without permission of the authorities has been prohibited.

Selling farmlands to people who are not farmers will be prohibited as well.

Characteristics of rivers, canals, wetlands and all kinds of water bodies cannot be changed.

BDST: 1215 HRS, AUGUST 05,2010