The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is an Indian judicial body established in 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act to handle environmental disputes and enforce environmental laws in India. It has the jurisdiction to deal with legal disputes related to environmental protection and conservation of forests and wildlife in India. The NGT’s role is to provide a forum for expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and wildlife, and to provide relief and compensation for damages to persons and property arising from such disputes.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is located in New Delhi, India. It has several regional benches in different cities across the country, including Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata, and Chennai, to handle cases from different regions of India.
Some of the important cases dealt by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) include:
- Yamuna River pollution case – In this case, the NGT issued orders to the Delhi government and civic agencies to clean up the Yamuna River and prevent further pollution.
- Bellandur Lake fire case – The NGT ordered the authorities to clean up the heavily polluted Bellandur Lake in Bengaluru and take measures to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future.
- Noida Groundwater extraction case – The NGT ordered the Noida authority to stop illegal extraction of groundwater for commercial purposes and imposed penalties on violators.
- Mumbai Coastal Road project case – The NGT gave the go-ahead for the Mumbai Coastal Road project, subject to strict environmental conditions and a coastal regulation zone clearance.
These cases demonstrate the important role played by the NGT in protecting the environment and ensuring compliance with environmental laws in India.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) stands as India’s dedicated Environmental Judiciary, playing a pivotal role in addressing environmental concerns and promoting sustainability. Established under the NGT Act, 2010, this specialized tribunal is empowered to adjudicate and provide swift resolutions to cases related to environmental protection and conservation.
Key Aspects of NGT as India’s Environmental Judiciary:
- Specialized Expertise: The NGT comprises judicial and expert members with profound knowledge in environmental matters, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of complex ecological issues.
- Jurisdiction and Powers: Endowed with extensive jurisdiction, the NGT has the authority to hear cases related to air and water pollution, biodiversity conservation, forest protection, and more. It exercises substantial powers to enforce environmental laws.
- Expeditious Disposal: The NGT follows a summary procedure to ensure the prompt and efficient resolution of environmental disputes. This approach aligns with the urgent need for environmental protection.
- Appeals and Legal Recourse: Decisions of the NGT can be appealed before the Supreme Court. This hierarchical structure provides a mechanism for further legal recourse in environmental matters.
- Landmark Decisions: The NGT has been instrumental in delivering landmark judgments that set precedents for environmental jurisprudence in India. Its decisions often influence policy and contribute to the nation’s environmental consciousness.
- Sustainable Development Focus: With a primary objective of promoting sustainable development, the NGT strives to balance economic growth with environmental conservation, ensuring a harmonious coexistence between development and ecology.
In essence, the NGT serves as the environmental watchdog, safeguarding India’s ecosystems and contributing to the global commitment to sustainable development. As India’s Environmental Judiciary, it stands firm in addressing environmental challenges, setting benchmarks for environmental governance, and fostering a green future.
