Bangladesh Environmental Lawyers Association (Bela)

bela was established in 1992 with a group of lawyers with the broad objective of promoting environmental justice and contributing to the development of sound environmental jurisprudence. bela started its mission as an advocacy group of young lawyers developing legal techniques and strategies to protect the environment and defend rights of communities dependent on nature and natural resources. founded by dr. mohiuddin farooque, the organization has paved the way for environmental legal activism in the country and has been the pioneer of public interest litigation in bangladesh. bela has adopted various means to create awareness amongst the major actors and the common people about their environmental rights and duties. bela has published books and other awareness materials, all having relevance to the concept of environmental protection and justice. it is also active in promoting people’s right to information and the concept of participatory law-making in the country.