Bangladesh Environment and Development Society

Bangladesh Environment and Development Society (BEDS) is a non-profit, non-political organization committed to sustainable socio-economic development, conservation of natural resources, use of clean energy and protection of the environment through research and implementation of specific activities.

A group of enlightened environmentalists, development workers and nature lovers came together with the idea of advocating to protect the ever-degrading coastal ecosystem of Bangladesh. As a result, BEDS was formed on July 26, 2010, to work with the grassroots-level community. The organization promotes the long-term co-existence of people and natural ecosystems on our planet, creating harmony among all living beings.

BEDS exists to address and solve integrated environmental and socio-economic problems. It has been working on: issues arising from global warming and sea level rise; preparedness to respond to natural hazards; mobilizing communities to eradicate unplanned and unsustainable over-harvesting and use of natural resources; bringing together different stakeholders to stop the extinction of rare species of flora and fauna; preserving Sundarbans biodiversity loss; minimizing the adverse impact on the eco-system due to accelerated human population growth; opposing human rights violations; and promoting gender equity. In addition, BEDS works to improve socio-economic conditions for the most vulnerable communities by focusing on food crises, farming, fisheries, education, health and nutrition and unemployment.

The organization's strategies focus on encouraging participation of local communities in important decision-making related to issues that bridge nature and society and aiding in the formation of Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) and related associations and sub-organizations. BEDS helps create and develop initiation strategies for such groups, as well as to expand and explore its own initiatives through similar national and international organizations, research institutes, think tanks, universities, etc.

The organization has been registered under the Department of Social Services of the Ministry of Social Welfare, Government of Bangladesh since 2011, and also under the NGO Affairs Bureau, Prime Minister's Office, Government of Bangladesh since 2013.

BEDS has been partnering as an associate organization of the Peoples Republic of Bangladesh to promote the proper implementation of government-led initiatives. It received the Government Environmental Award 2015 from the Khulna Division in recognition for its excellent, pragmatic and innovative work. In 2015, BEDS and the Centre for Integrated Studies on Sundarbans (CISS), Khulna University, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together on collaborative projects.

BEDS is committed to work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 2030 set by the United Nations, and Rupkalpa 2021 set by the Government of Bangladesh. It will continue partnering with national and international donor agencies to fulfill these commitments.

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