News from Tanzania, India, and Israel

Dear friends,

ELAW partners are speaking out for clean air, clean water, and a healthy planet. Enjoy some recent press clips featuring our partners in Tanzania, India, and Israel.

Tanzania: Daily News
Go for big poachers too
January 2, 2014 — Tanzania’s anti-poaching “Operation Tokomeza” was suspended following reports of rampant human rights abuses. ELAW partner Rugemeleza Nshala says the operation targeted “small fish.” Rugemeleza says “we need to identify and stop the heavyweights behind the illicit trade.”

India: The Economic Times
Environment lawyer Ritwick Dutta’s moves have India Inc see red
December 23, 2013 — Ritwick Dutta fought his first case at the age of 28 against Vedanta, representing the Dongria Kondh tribals of Niyamgiri, who wanted to stop the London-listed giant from mining bauxite. Dutta fought the case all the way to the Supreme Court, which then asked Vedanta to get approval from the tribals to start mining. The tribals rejected the request, and the hills remain untouched. “Virtually 330 acres of forest land is diverted every day in India, according to the ministry of environment,” says Dutta. “I don’t think these fights have stopped India from progressing.”

Israel: The Jerusalem Post
State proposes legal framework for complete alteration of national policy on coastal waters
December 18, 2013 — The Justice Ministry unveiled a draft bill that will restructure the laws governing Israel’s coastal waters. While praising the Justice Ministry’s decision to issue a bill, Adam Teva V’Din (Israel Union for Environmental Defense) cited several flaws within its text that could allow for an “environmental disaster” to occur in waters that the organization describes as the “Wild West.”

Thank you for your interest!

Maggie Keenan
Communications Director &
Fellows Program Coordinator
Environmental Law Alliance Worldwide

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