Indigenous Peoples And Environmental Justice: Recognition, Rights, And Representation Of Indigenous Peoples In Bangladesh's Environmental Regulatory Framework

Using an Environmental Justice theoretical lens, this thesis explores the extent to which the environmental legislative landscape of Bangladesh has ensured environmental justice for Indigenous peoples. In doing so, the thesis concentrates on three main areas: recognition, rights of Indigenous people under the environmental legal framework as well as their representation in the environmental decision making bodies. The research evaluates Bangladesh environmental laws against standards elaborated in the environmental justice literature on each of these three areas. The research employs a combination of legal and policy analysis, as well as a critical analytical approach as part of its methodology. This thesis contends that the environmental laws of Bangladesh fall short of realizing the rights, recognition and representation of Indigenous people in the environmental legal framework. These shortcomings appear to stem from a combination of factors including the design, scope, limitations and implementation of environmental laws and Constitutional provisions by both the state and the courts.