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About BELA |
Background
 The Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA), a
non-profit and non-governmental organization of lawyers was set up in
1992 with the objective of establishing a sound environment and
ecological order for all using law as tool. The formation of BELA was
indeed a response to the global call for movement to protect and
conserve natural environment and ecology that has strong justification
in a rural agronomy based country like Bangladesh.
With the ever deteriorating environmental state of the country at
the backdrop, Dr. Mohiuddin Farooque , the founder of BELA decided to
pursue the cause of environmental justice through a motivated local
advocacy group. The initial idea was to monitor and pursue
implementation and observance of the existing laws on natural resource
and environment management. As an advocacy group of young lawyers,
BELA since then has been working out techniques and strategies to
accord protection to environmental resources and thus safeguard the
rights of the millions who depend on such resources.
Since inception, the organization has adopted various means to
create awareness amongst major actors to activate the great bulk of
environmental legislation. BELA has always emphasized on and advocated
for wider participation in law making and policy planning to bring in
changes in the isolated trend of law and policy framing. The efforts
of BELA through public interest litigation have truly sensitized the
concept of ‘environmental justice’ in the country that now has special
courts to deal with environmental offences. To institutionalize its
efforts, BELA ensures wider participation from both the government and
non-governmental sector that has given it wide credibility and
acceptance amongst all concerned.
Objectives & Strategies
The broad objective of BELA is to promote environmental justice and
contribute towards the development of a sound environmental
jurisprudence.
The specific objectives of the organization include:
- Undertake studies on and research into the local, national and
international regulatory regime on environment
- Undertake legislative advocacy
- Seek judicial or administrative relief to ensure implementation
of existing environmental laws
- Resolve environmental disputes through court cases, alternative
dispute resolution, mediation and other means
- Create greater awareness about environmental laws and issues
- Initiate participatory processes to ensure environmental good
governance
- Provide legal assistance and support endeavours for protection
of the environment and associated human rights
- Develop networks with local, national and international
groups/bodies/agencies working on environment
- Develop and core group of environmental activists
 Target Beneficiaries
The beneficiary of BELA’s activity is perhaps every human and
non-human being. In attempting to protect people’s rights and
legitimate interests, BELA’s efforts aimed from top echelon of the
society and governance to the little mass whose lives and livelihood
are often forfeited in various disguise and means.
Offices
The office of BELA is presently situated in House # 15A, Road # 3,
Dhanmondi Residential Area, Dhaka-1205, Bangladesh.
It also has two project offices in Tangail and Cox’s Bazar & are
liasion office in Khulna.
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