Know more about BELA

As a group of lawyers, BELA was established in 1992 with the broad objective of promoting environmental justice and contributing to the development of sound environmental jurisprudence. Environment and natural resources support the lives and livelihood of majority of the people in Bangladesh in numerous invaluable ways. Two third of the Gross Domestic Products (GDP) comes from agriculture whereas sixty percent of the people have their only protein intake from the rich sweet water fishery of the country. Bangladesh shares with India the largest mangrove forest of the world and the largest unbroken coastline. The country has an extensive network of about 300 rivers with a flow of 25, 000 kilometres. The hill areas of Bangladesh are known for their rich biodiversity and cultural diversity.

While Bangladesh could have been known in the world for its rivers, coastal areas, forests, biodiversity and related culture, the country instead has been portrayed as a land of dense population, disasters and miseries. This has happened mainly due to faulty policy priorities and approaches and of course poor governance that also accounts for non-implementation of environmental laws. A narrow and isolated law/policy making trend resulted in over exploitation of resources nullifying.

The notion of sustainable use and utilization and undermining peoples’ dependence on the same. The environment in Bangladesh is also challenged by some regional activities and vulnerability to global environmental crisis like.This has happened mainly due to faulty policy priorities and approaches and of course poor governance that also accounts for non-implementation of environmental laws. A narrow and isolated law/policy making trend resulted in over exploitation of resources nullifying.

The notion of sustainable use and utilization and undermining peoples’ dependence on the same. The environment in Bangladesh is also challenged by some regional activities and vulnerability to global environmental.

Recognition's

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.

Financial Management of BELA

BELA’s financial management systems maintain national and international standards and policies for the best use of resources.

 

The main objectives of the Accounts and Finance department of BELA are to compile appropriate data for reporting and provide consistent and accurate financial data.

 

In order to establish a transparent and accountable financial management system, the external/statutory audit with a management report on the financial statements of the organization is outsourced to an independent chartered accounting firm. The auditor’s report is presented to the Executive Committee of BELA and followed through for implementation.

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