The interim government on Thursday imposed a ban on the plantation of the invasive eucalyptus and acacia species across government, non-government, and private initiatives.
To protect the environment, ecology, and biodiversity, and to meet national and international obligations, a ban has been placed on the sapling plantation and marketing of eucalyptus and acacia, said a circular signed by deputy secretary Tushar Kumar Paul at the environment, forest and climate change ministry.
As alternatives to these non-native species, the circular encouraged citizens to plant indigenous fruit, herbal and medicinal trees.
Native to Australia, eucalyptus is known to consume large quantities of groundwater and is best suited to arid conditions, experts say.
Earlier, on November 12, Syeda Rizwana Hasan, adviser to the environment, forest and climate change ministry, instructed the forest department to stop planting eucalyptus and acacia trees.
Eucalyptus was introduced in the country in the 1980s as a fast-growing species for beautification and reforestation projects, without a proper assessment of its suitability for the local environment.
The Department of Forest and Environment played a key role in promoting the expansion of eucalyptus plantations, branding it as a quick solution to greening efforts.
Environmentalists and soil and water scientists, however, have long opposed eucalyptus plantations due to their adverse ecological impacts.
A study conducted by the department of soil and water science at Hajee Mohammad Danesh Science and Technology University in Dinajpur, led by professor Md Monsur Rahman, found that excessive eucalyptus plantations were depleting local water tables and contributing to water shortages.
In 2002, the environment ministry made an initial attempt to restrict eucalyptus plantations. It, however, only imposed a guideline that eucalyptus could not exceed 10 per cent of the total forest coverage.