Legal Initiative for Forest and Environment (LIFE) was formed in 2008 with the mandate of promoting environmental democracy i.e. access to Information, public participation, and access to justice in matters relating to the environment. The mission of LIFE is based on the belief that effective environmental protection is possible if the affected people have a voice in the decision-making process.
LIFE is addressing the issue of declining environmental quality and the shrinking space for people’s participation in environmental decision making. It has been focusing on India’s Environmental Impact Assessment process specifically the public consultation process and ensuring that impact assessment studies correctly examine the social and environmental impacts of proposed projects. In addition, LIFE has been providing scientific and legal support to communities and CSOs across the country. LIFE also builds the capacity of the Forest Department Officers for effective implementation of Forest & Wildlife in the field.
LIFE is also intervening for minimization of forest diversion for non-forestry activities by intervening at the policy level as well as engaging with expert committees of the environment and forest ministry which appraise proposals for forest diversion.
In order to address the above issue, LIFE engages diverse strategies. These include capacity building, information sharing, and evidence based advocacy. Through a unique combination of research, capacity building, and litigation, LIFE is able to provide support to groups and affected communities across the country. Communities in important projects are guided on Public Consultation process, making oral and written presentations to the authorities.
Through effective advocacy with the media, we have been able to draw the attention of the public to violations of environmental laws. In addition, LIFE through its initiative: EIA Resource and Response Centre (ERC) has been tracking environmental and forest clearances across the country and sharing the information through its website: www.ercindia.org. LIFE today coordinates a national level network: The Access Initiative (TAI), which is a network of CSOs working on access rights. Members of TAI have worked together in dealing with some of the most pressing environmental governance challenges in recent times.
Mission
Life supports environmental democracy by focusing on, access to information. Public participation and access to justice.
Vision
Reforming Environmental Law by inspiring new conversation. It promotes environmental democracy and justice through the creative use of law and scientific evidence-based advocacy.
