Bangladesh is one of the best countries for photography for those who are keen on portrait and wildlife photography.

Yes. Though, professional photography or wildlife photography is still not so popular here yet. But people are widely taking their photos and selfies with their smartphone and regularly uploading them on social media.

Dhaka especially Old Dhaka, Barisal, the backwater region, Sylhet, Sreemangal, Chittagong, Bandarban, Rangamati and Cox’s Bazar are the few best places for street photography.

No. In most places, you don’t need to ask before you take anyone’s photo here. In Bangladesh, no one asks or takes any permission before taking anyone’s photo and this is a common culture here.

For those looking to improve their ability to photograph people, Bangladesh is the greatest place on earth to master portrait photography.

In rare events, you need to ask or take permission to take a photo of anyone only if you want the person posing for you the way you want.

No. Bangladesh is not India and here no one asks for money for taking his/her photos. Rather they’ll be happy to have their photos are been taken. Sometimes people ask you to take selfies with them.

Yes. You can not photograph inside any of the museums or exhibition center and all Govt. KPI establishments without any authorization. Except in those places, there are no restrictions at all.

No. You’re only allowed to take pictures as much as you want from the outside of the national parliament but inside photography is not allowed at all.

Yes, you can. Regardless its Hindus, Muslims, Christians or Buddhist religious establishments there are no restrictions on taking photos inside.

Yes. There are no restrictions for photography whether it is a personal, wildlife or commercial inside of any reserve forest or national park in Bangladesh including Sundarbans.

Yes.

Yes, you can. But there are some exception. You can not take videos in some restricted places.

Videos are strictly restricted inside all the museums, exhibition centres, and all Govt. KPI establishments include the National Parliament, Prime Minister’s Office, Secretariat, Bangabhaban (Prime Minister’s Residence), Ganabhaban (President Residence), Bangladesh Betar (Bangladesh Radio), Bangladesh Television, Fire Service Station, Power Plants, Government Printing Press, Airport, National Achieve, Fuel Depots, Natural Gas Wells, Bangabandhu Bridge and Padma Bridge etc.

No, you can’t. You are only allowed to take pictures with your phone or digital camera. But you are not allowed to take any kind of videos with your phone, digital camera, video camera, camcorder or drone.

If you wish to make any videography or documentary or vlog you need to take permission from the Department of Archaeology by applying with a written application along with relevant documents and paying fees in advance.

According to the importance, values and location of the archaeological sites in Bangladesh, the Department of Archaeology classified all the sites into two categories, Class – A, and Class – B. After paying the fees you may shoot videos with your phone or digital camera or video camera or camcorder or drone. Also, each of the unit members or crews have to pay for their on site entrance tickets separately.

Class A:

The listed sites in this group are;

• Lalbagh Fort
• Baliati Zamindar Palace
• Panam City
• Idrakpur Fort
• Muktagacha Zamindar Palace
• Mahasthangarh
• Paharpur Buddhist Monastery
• Tajhat Zamindar Palace
• Moynamoti Shalban Bihar
• Sixty Dome Mosque

The charges/fees for making videos for Documentaries or Vlogs in Class A listed archaeological sites in Day-Time are 3450/- BDT per hour including VAT and Taxes. A Security Deposit of 6000/- BDT is also required on per hour basis for the video shoot.

Class B:

The listed sites in this group are;

• All remaining sites except listed in Class A.

The charges/fees for making videos for Documentaries or Vlogs in Class B listed archaeological sites in Day-Time are 2300/- BDT per hour including VAT and Taxes. A Security Deposit of 4000/- BDT is also required on per hour basis.

Shooting at Night: If you’re shooting videos at Night-Time then the charges/fees and security deposit will be Double for the same sites accordingly.

Note: Flying drones anywhere in Bangladesh required separate permission/authorization from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh. Also, the drone operator has to have a drone pilot/flying license as well from the same department.

No, you can’t. But only if you have proper permission in advance from both the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh and the Department of Archaeology of Bangladesh and are willing to pay the required fees in advance you may be allowed to.

The charges/fees are the same for flying a drone in any archaeological sites in Bangladesh as for commercial filming mentioned above.

Yes. But you have take necessary permission and pay required fees in advance for commercial filming inside of a national park or reserve forest from the Forest Department or Park Authorities.

The charges/fees for making commercial filming or video shooting inside of a national park or reserve forest in Bangladesh (except Sundarbans) are 7000/- BDT for 7 Hours (10 AM – 5 PM) including VAT and Taxes.

Note: The whole shooting unit or crew members have to pay for their entrance tickets separately.

No. On a general basis Flying drones inside of a national park or reserve forest is strictly restricted.

Though you may fly a drone if you have proper permission and pre-authorization from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change or Forest Department or Park Authorities. Also, you have to pay the required fees and entrance ticket price as well.

No.

No. Any kind of personal or professional DSLR, Semi-DSLR or Digital Camera or Phones can be used without paying any charges or revenue inside Sundarbans except video cameras.

Depending on the sizes, weights and functionality of the different cameras the Sundarbans Forest Division classified all the video or motion-graphic cameras into three (3) categories, Class – A, Class – B and Class – C.

Class A: Personal or Non-Professional Video Cameras or similar types of cameras.

The charges for carrying such cameras for shooting Personal Videos or Vlogs are 575/- BDT Per-Day including VAT and Taxes.

Class B: Semi-Professional or Non-Commercial Video Cameras or similar types.

The payable revenues for carrying such cameras for making Personal or Professional Videos, Documentaries, Commercial Adverts, Commercial Filming or Vlogs are 5000/- BDT Per-Day including VAT and Taxes. An additional Security Deposit of 50,000/- BDT (refundable) is also required while video shoot or filming.

Class C: Full Professional or Commercial Filming Cameras or similar types of cameras.

The fees for carrying such cameras for filming Professional Videos, Documentaries, Commercial Adverts, and Commercial Filming are 10,000/- BDT Per-Day including VAT and Taxes. An additional Security Deposit of 50,000/- BDT (refundable) is also required at the time of  video shoot or filming.

Note: Shooting videos at Night-Time inside Sundarbans is strictly restricted. Also, all the unit members or shooting crews have to pay forest revenues or entrance fees separately.

No, you can’t. Flying drones inside the Sundarbans National Park are strictly restricted.

But you may fly a drone if you have proper permission and pre-authorization from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change or Forest Department. Also, you have to pay the fees for the drone and revenues for the entrance as well.

The fees/charges for flying a drone inside Sundarbans reserve forest whether it’s for recreational activities or filming Personal or Professional Videos, Documentaries, Commercial Adverts, and Commercial Filming are 20,000/- BDT Per-Day including VAT and Taxes. An additional Security Deposit of 50,000/- BDT (refundable) is also required along with the permission/authorization from the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh as well. Also, the drone operator has to have a drone pilot/flying license as well from the same authority.

Note: Shooting videos at Night-Time inside Sundarbans is strictly restricted.

Yes. According to CAAB, drone use is allowed in Bangladesh, subject to CAAB regulations. Drones can only be operated within visual line of sight in Bangladesh. The use of FPV systems requires a separate permit. You have to keep a distance of 18.5 kilometers (10 miles) to airports, or you must obtain authorization from the air traffic control authorities.

The most common rules for flying a drone in Bangladesh are,

• Any person conducting such operations shall be responsible for conducting a safe operation and shall not pose a risk to aviation safety.
• Any person operating an RPAS shall not operate in such a reckless or negligent manner to endanger or likely endanger the life or property of any other person.
• Any person conducting such operations shall be of a minimum of 18 years of age.
• Any person conducting such operations shall subscribe to appropriate liability insurance covering risks of injury or damage to public and/or property.
• The pilot operating such devices shall not operate the controls of an RPAS if there are reasons to believe that the pilot is suffering or likely to suffer from fatigue, or suffering from any other condition which would render him/her unfit to perform his/her duties.
• The pilot operating shall not operate an RPAS within eight (8) hours after consuming an alcoholic beverage or while under the influence of alcohol or while using any drug that impairs the judgment to the extent that the safety of the operation is endangered in any way. Impairment from drugs could include illicit drugs or prescription and over the counter medication.
• Any person conducting operations shall be familiar with the relevant aeronautical information that is appropriate to the intended flight, before commencing a flight.
• Any person conducting operations shall obtain permission from the owner(s) of the property on which an RPAS intends to take-off/launch from and/or land/recover on.
• Any person conducting operations shall, before commencing operations, perform a site survey to assess the suitability of each location and confirm those safe operations can be conducted. Typical elements that should be assessed would include, but are not limited to:

1. Defining the boundaries of the area where the actual operation will be carried out;
2. Class of airspace and/or specific provisions of the airspace.
3. Altitudes and routes to be used on the approach and departure to and from the area where the operation will be carried out;
4. Other aircraft operations (e.g. proximity of aerodromes including heliports and seaplane bases, or other operating sites);
5. Hazards associated with nearby industrial sites;
6. Areas of high-intensity radio transmissions or electromagnetic interference(e.g. radar sites);
7. Limitations and/or restrictions of local by-laws;
8. Location and height of obstacles (e.g. wires, masts, buildings, cell phone towers, wind turbines, etc.);
9. Airspace restrictions such as restrictions around nuclear facilities or military bases;
10. Built-up areas, major roadways and recreational activity sites;
11. Security provisions to limit public access;
12. Predominant weather conditions for the site and proposed operating areas; and
13. Minimum separation distances from persons, vehicles and structures.

• Any person conducting operations shall cease operations if at any time the safety of other airspace users or persons or property on the ground is in jeopardy, or if the person conducting operations is unable to comply with the conditions of this Circular.
• If at any time the operation is deemed to be a risk to other airspace users or people and property on the ground, the operation will cease until the issues that were causing the unsafe conditions are addressed/remedied. Flight operations should not resume until the issues are resolved.

For more information on Bangladesh’s drone laws, see this document issued by the CAAB.

The agency responsible for regulating drones in Bangladesh is The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).

Drones are permitted in Bangladesh, but you have to obtain permission from the air traffic control authority before your maneuvers.

Application for authorizations have to be submitted 45 days in advance to the Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh (CAAB).

The mandatory details of the application include:

• Personal data of the pilot
• Purpose of the drone flight (e.g., training, photography, videography, research, etc.)
• Description of the copter (including departure weight and safety features like fail-safe)
• Date/time of the manoeuvre
• Flight location including coordinates
• Information about existing drone insurance
• Distance to the nearest medical facility and the nearest fire station.

For more information on Bangladesh’s drone laws, see this document issued by the CAAB.

Anyone conducting drone operations should have a copy of the following documents with them while flying, and be prepared to present them to local authorities, police, or a CAAB inspector upon request:

• CAAB permission letter;
• Proof of appropriate liability insurance coverage;
• Name, address and telephone number of the drone pilot;
• A copy of the UAV operating limitations as published by the manufacturer.
• A site survey is required before conducting drone operations to assess the suitability of each location and confirm that safe operation can be conducted there.

For more information on Bangladesh’s drone laws, see this document issued by the CAAB.

The use of drones has been divided into four categories. These are,

• Class A: Drones are for recreational use and must weigh below five (-5) kilograms. 
• Class B: Drones are for non-commercial use, such as surveying large areas for personal studies and research. 
• Class C: Drones are allowed for commercial use and may weigh above five (5+) kilograms.
• Class D: Drones used in state or military work and require no permission.

For more information on Bangladesh’s drone laws, see this document issued by the CAAB.

The flying operations of drones have been restricted depending on the importance of the flying location and security measures of the specific area. Considering all facts flying areas for drones are divided in to three (3) zones. These are,

• Green Zone: Can be flown with or without authorization of CAAB.
• Yellow Zone: Inside all KPIs areas. And flying is prohibited.
• Red Zone: All airports and cantonments. Flying is completely restricted.

For more information on Bangladesh’s drone laws, see this document issued by the CAAB.

RPAS operator or drone pilot responsibilities in Bangladesh are as stated below,

• The pilot operating shall maintain continuous unaided visual contact with the RPAS sufficient to be able to maintain operational control of the RPAS, know its location and be able to scan the airspace in which it is operating to decisively see and avoid other air traffic or objects.
• The pilot operating shall not use a first-person view device. A First-Person View (FPV) device which generates and transmits a streaming video image to a ground station display or monitor giving the pilot who is viewing this video, the illusion of actually flying the aircraft from an onboard pilot’s perspective and thus do not have adequate capability to ensure safe traffic separation and compliance with the right of way requirements.
• The pilot operating under this exemption shall only operate an RPAS from a single control station and control relays or visual observers to extend the operational area are prohibited.
• The pilot shall operate no more than one RPAS at any one time.
• The pilot operating an RPAS shall give way to all manned aircraft (i.e. aeroplanes, helicopters, gliders, ultra-lights, hot air balloons, etc.), unmanned balloons and any other flying objects at all times.
• The RPAS operation shall only be conducted during daylight hours and in Visual Meteorological Conditions (VMC).
• The maximum height for operations of RPASs shall be 200 feet above ground level(AGL).
• The operation of the RPAS is prohibited within I0 (ten) nautical miles of an aerodrome and within 05 (five) nautical miles of a Key Point Installation (KPI), built-up area, sensitive Government Installations (e.g. Prime Minister’s Residence/Office, Secretariat etc.)
• The pilot operating shall not operate an RPAS over a forest fire area, or over any area that is located within 5 (five) nautical miles of a forest fire area.
• The pilot operating shall not operate an RPAS in airspace that has been restricted.
• The pilot operating shall not operate an RPAS within 5 (five) nautical miles of a built-up area.
• The pilot operating shall operate an RPAS at a lateral distance of at least 1000 feet from any building, structure, vehicle, vessel, animal or person unless:

1. The building, structure, vehicle, vessel or animal is the subject of the aerial work; and
2. Only persons inherent to the operation are present.

• The pilot operating shall not operate an RPAS over an open-air assembly of persons.
• The pilot operating shall operate an RPAS at a lateral distance of at least 1000 feet from the general public, spectators, bystanders or any person not associated with the operation.
• The pilot conducting operations shall be able to take immediate active control of an RPAS at all times.
• Full automation in RPAS is not to be allowed. Fully autonomous systems which do not allow the pilot to intervene are not permitted due to the potential unpredictability of their flight profile. The pilot of an RPAS must be able to override the pre-programmed systems at any time, should there be a technical issue with the RP AS that requires pilot intervention.
• Any person conducting operations shall establish and adhere to procedures to be followed if control of the aircraft can no longer be maintained. Specifically:

1. Procedures for contacting emergency assistance;
2. Procedures for landing/recovering the RP AS safely;
3. Procedures for contacting the appropriate air traffic service unit; and
4. Name(s) of individuals responsible for following each of the above procedures.

• Any person conducting RPAS operations shall have and adhere to an Emergency Contingency Plan. The Emergency Contingency Plan shall address the action to be taken should the RPAS result in injury to third parties or damage to property.
• Radio Frequency Link for the operation overpass is vital and should be provided with no unacceptable interference to the RPAS. Any person, organization, or institution conducting RPAS operation shall ensure that no unacceptable interference to the RP AS is present before the flight or is likely to be present during flight.
• Any person operating shall not conduct a take-off/launch of an RPAS unless the risk involved with lost link circumstances has been assessed and a proper contingency procedure has been developed and in place for the recovery of the RPAS in case of a loss link situation.
• The pilot operating shall not operate an RPAS unless it is operated under the operating limitation specified by the manufacturer.
• The pilot is responsible for operating the RPAS under any specifications, directions or instructions provided by the manufacturer and for ensuring that any operating limitations relating to the operation of the RPAS are adhered to.
• The pilot operating shall not permit the use of a portable electronic device at the control station of an RPAS where the device may impair the functioning of the systems or equipment.
• The pilot operating shall not conduct a take-off/launch of an RPAS if explosive, corrosive, bio-hazard or bright light-emitting (laser) payloads, or any payloads that can be jettisoned, dispersed or dropped, are carried on board.
• Any person operating RPAS shall ensure the following operational and emergency equipment is immediately available:

1. Checklists or placards that enable an RPAS to be operated following the limitations specified by the manufacturer; and
2. A hand-held fire extinguisher of a type suitable for extinguishing fires is likely to occur.

• The pilot/operator must be prepared to handle any emergencies that occur as a result of operating the RPAS (i.e. grass fire, injury to people on the ground, etc.) This requires that the appropriate procedures be developed and the required equipment is immediately available to those conducting the operation.
• The pilot conducting operations shall remain clear of the take-off, approach and landing routes and the pattern of traffic formed by manned aircraft operating in the vicinity of aerodromes.
• Any person conducting operations shall ensure that the appropriate air traffic service unit(s) is advised immediately anytime the flight of an RPAS inadvertently enters into controlled airspace.
• The pilot operating an RPAS shall in no case enter published Restricted, Prohibited and Danger Area in Bangladesh.

For more information on Bangladesh’s drone laws, see this document issued by the CAAB.

Anyone will be able to operate drones for entertainment. Recreational drones weighing less than five (5) kilograms will require no permission to fly. Those drones cannot be flown above 500 feet from the ground.

To fly drones for entertainment it has to be three and a half (3 ½) kilometres away from the airports, all restricted and KPIs areas, the maximum altitude will be 100 feet. The Civil Aviation Authority of Bangladesh or CAAB’s permission will be required in all other cases. For drones weighing over 7 kilograms, the importers will need permission from the defence ministry.

The cabinet ministry has passed the draft Drone Registration and Flying Act 2020, banning the use of drones for commercial purposes without permission from the government.

The use of drones for the shooting of films, television or documentaries will now require permission from the Civil Aviation Department if they weigh above 5 kilos.