Vision

  • Community empowerment and protection of the environment, natural resources and environmental rights in a just, equitable and gender-sensitive way.

Mission

  • Developing awareness of environmental rights and entitlements as well as the capacity to make changes in environmental governance through awareness campaigns, training of various stakeholders, initiating and pursuing policy advocacy through multiple modes, and litigation to ensure environmental justice.

Objective

The objective of BELA is to promote environmental justice and contribute towards the development of a sound environmental jurisprudence.
  • Research and awareness raising campaigns
  • Seek administrative relief, utilize legal measures and give legal assistance to protect eco-system and rights of people
  • Mobilize and support community resistance
  • Develop networks with local, national, regional and international groups/bodies/agencies
  • Undertake legislative advocacy

Values and Cultures

When working to accomplish its visions and missions and when pursuing its strategies, BELA is committed to uphold following values and principles:
  • To follow the principle of anthropocentric environmentalism (that is, to uphold the conservation of the environment and natural resources but not at the cost of the interest and livelihood of the poor or the affected community dependent on such natural resources).
  • To consider the special interest or vulnerability of excluded or marginalised communities such as fishers, forest dwellers, and marginalised farmers.
  • To promote transparent and participatory environmental governance.
  • To uphold and promote the principle of environmental justice as a constitutional value.
  • To uphold the principles of equity and equality, including gender equality, while implementing the planned activities.

Key Strategies

BELA seeks to achieve its vision and mission by pursuing the following strategies:
  • Undertaking litigation and initiating other legal interventions (seeking administrative relief).
  • Raising public awareness and disseminating knowledge about the major environmental concerns and wrongs prevalent in Bangladesh.
  • Undertaking advocacy to help create a democratic and participatory environmental governance regime.
  • Engaging with the community concerned and the wider society in a more effective way.
  • Engaging with the government and its relevant agencies.
  • Working in partnership with other organizations, both local and international, working in the same area.

Key Thematic Area

BELA focuses on the following three specific thematic areas:
  • Natural resources (land, forests, water, air, biodiversity) management
  • Pollution and Conservation
  • Climate justice, sustainable energy, and related environmental rights

Communications, Outreach and Media:

To gain the maximum impact of its advocacy, research, and litigation, BELA will communicate its goals, mission, information, and achievements to targeted audiences (local, national and international), and to the public generally. The following audiences have been identified as priority:
  • Policy-makers, both at the political and administrative levels
  • Local government representatives and the local administration
  • “Special stakeholder groups” e.g. solar energy advocates and experts
  • Media
  • Network members
  • Community members and opinion leaders
  • Supportive citizens and organisations including educational institutions

Communications, Outreach and Media:

To communicate our message, concerns and activities, BELA uses diverse set of mediums that include but are not limited to:
  • Social Media
  • Mass Media
  • Website
  • YouTube
  • Organising in-person events
  • Participation in national and international events