National Green Tribunal
The National Green Tribunal has been established on 18.10.2010 under the
National Green Tribunal Act 2010 for effective and expeditious disposal of
cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and
other natural resources including enforcement of any legal right relating to
environment and giving relief and compensation for damages to persons and
property and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. It is a
specialized body equipped with the necessary expertise to handle
environmental disputes involving mufti-disciplinary issues.
The Tribunal shall not be bound by the procedure laid down under the Code
of Civil Procedure, 1908, but shall be guided by principles of natural justice.
The Tribunal's dedicated jurisdiction in environmental matters shall provide
speedy environmental justice and help reduce the burden of litigation in the
higher courts.
The Tribunal is mandated to make and endeavour for disposal of applications
or appeals finally within 6 months of filing of the same.
The NGT is proposed to be set up at five places of sittings and will follow
circuit procedure for making itself more accessible. New Delhi is the Principal
Place of Sitting of the Tribunal and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai shall
be the other 4 place of sitting of the Tribunal.
Chairperson and Members of NGT
It has a full time chairperson and following members:
At least 10 and maximum 20 Full time Judicial members
At least 10 and maximum 20 Full time Expert Members
Qualification for Chairperson
The person should have been either a Judge of India’s Supreme Court or
Chief Justice of a High Court in India.
Qualification for Judicial member
A Judge of Supreme Court of India, Chief Justice of High Court, Judge of a
High Court
Qualification for Expert members
Either a degree in Master of Science (in physical sciences or life sciences) with
a Doctorate degree or Master of Engineering or Master of Technology
1
Or an experience of fifteen years in the relevant field and administrative
experience of fifteen years in Central or a State Government or in a reputed
National or State level institution.
Post retirement jobs
Once retired, the chairman or judicial members can not take up any
jobrelated to matters of this tribunal for at least 2 years.
Jurisdiction of The National Green Tribunal
It has jurisdiction over all civil cases where a substantial question relating to
environment (including enforcement of any legal right relating to environment), is
involved and such question arises out of the implementation of the enactments
specified in Schedule I of the National Green Tribunal Act 2010.
The acts listed in Schedule 1 are:
1. The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974;
2. The Water (Prevention and Control o[Pollution) Cess Act, 1977;
3. The Forest (Conservation) Act,The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
Act, 1981;
4. The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986;
5. The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991;
6. The Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
It would deal with all environmental laws on air and water pollution, the
Environment Protection Act, the Forest Conservation Act and the Biodiversity Act.
