Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (BELA)

BELA started its journey in 1992 as an advocacy group in the field of environment. Since then, it has become an important change-maker in legal reform especially in the field of environmental justice and jurisprudence. Over the years, BELA has played a pioneering role in popularizing the concept of ‘environmental justice’ in the country, developing strategies to accord legal protection to people affected by environmental degradation. The organization has adopted various means to create awareness about environmental laws and to activate responsible agencies in performing their legal duties. It was after a BELA-initiated case in 1997 that the Supreme Court of Bangladesh recognized the concept of Public Interest Litigation (PIL) that enabled millions of voice-less people to access the formal justice system through representative civil society organizations (CSOs) and individual public-interested litigants. BELA’s work in the field of environmental justice has been acclaimed nationally and internationally. - In June 2003, BELA was awarded the Global 500 Roll of Honours of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). - The organization has received the Environment Award in 2007 from the Department of Environment of the Government of Bangladesh - BELA received M. Saleem Ullah Memorial Gold Medal in 2009 as a significant recognition of its service to the people in providing effective leadership for the preservation of the environment. - The Chief Executive of BELA was awarded the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize in 2009 for her outstanding contribution to protecting and conserving the environment of the country. - The name of BELA’s Chief Executive has appeared in the list of environmental heroes (2009) of the prestigious US magazine TIME. - The Chief Executive has also received the most prestigious award in this region, the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 2012.