Overview

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. LIFE's mission is based on the belief that effective environmental protection is possible only 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 examines 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 field. LIFE is also intervening for minimisation of forest diversion for non-forestry activities by intervening at policy level as well as engaging with expert committees of the environment and forest ministry which appraise proposal for forest diversion.