Before partition of Indian sub-continent in 1947, Bangladesh forests were administered under Forest Circles of the Bangal and Assem Forest Departments. From 1947 to 1962, the Provincial Forest Department was the authority with a Conservator of Forests, and subsequently until 1971 by a Chief Conservator of Forests. With the formation of Bangladesh in 1971, reserved and proposed reserve forests passed to the Bangladesh Forest Department. From 1971 to 1989, BFD fell under the Ministry of Agriculture. The Department enjoyed varying interest in terms of attention from Government. For a brief spell, there was an Inspector General of Forests, in addition to the Chief Conservation of forests, to coordinate forestry activities. During 1987-89, Forestry was a Division of Agriculture Ministry with a Secretary to Government in charge of the Forestry Division.

The Department of Environment (DoE) established in 1977 under the Environment Pollution Control Ordinance, 1977 still functions under the ECA.

With the formation of the new Ministry of Environment and Forests, in 1989, both the departments were transferred to this new Ministry. The DoE has been placed under the MoEF as its technical wing and is statutorily responsible for the implementation of the Environment Conservation Act, 1995.

Besides these two departments, MoEF look after the Bangladesh Forest Industries Development Corporation (BFIDC), Bangladesh Forest Research Institute (BFRI), Bangladesh National Herbarium (BNH) and Bangladesh Climate Change Trust (BCCT).

The Ministry of Environment & Forests is the nodal agency in the administrative structure of the Central Government, for the planning, promotion, co-ordination and overseeing the implementation of environmental and forestry programmes. MoEF oversees all environmental matters in the country and is a permanent member of the Executive Committee of the National Economic Council.

Vision:
Sustainable environment and optimum forest coverage.

Mission:
To ensure sustainable environment and forest through conservation of ecosystem and biodiversity; controlling environmental pollution; addressing climate change; research, floristic survey and development of forest resources