Dhaka: The cabinet on Monday approved in principle the draft of Bangladesh Biodiversity Act seeking to strengthen measures for preserving the country's biodiversity.

The approval was given in the regular meeting of the cabinet at secretariat with Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina in the chair.

Briefing reporters after the meeting, Cabinet Secretary Mohammad Shafiul Alam said the proposed law highlighted biodiversity in Bangladesh perspective and it is being framed since the country is a signatory to the Conventional Biological Diversity of the UN.

Shafiul Alam said Mosharraf said any activities harmful for biodiversity would be considered as offence and the responsible persons would face maximum five-year imprisonment and fine of Tk 10 lakh or more.