Some social activists, environmentalists, public health experts and human rights campaigners came together in early 1995 to form a voluntary organisation - Society for Direct Initiative for Social and Health Action (DISHA), registered on 12.09.1995 under the West Bengal Societies Registration Act 1961. Since inception DISHA has been active on different issues concerning environment, environmental health and human rights. We have focussed on municipal waste management, bio-medical waste management, materials policy, industrial pollution, toxicity, coastal environment, biodiversity, conservation and energy issues. In all these areas DISHA has undertaken documentation, research, policy intervention, campaign and awareness generation, training and publication.