NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL (NGT)

NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL (NGT)

• The National Green Tribunal has been established on 18th October 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010.
• National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 is an Act of the Parliament of India which enables creation of a special tribunal to handle the expeditious disposal of the cases pertaining to environmental issues.
• It was enacted under India's constitutional provision of Article 21, which assures the citizens of India the right to a healthy environment.
• NGT is 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 multi-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 endeavor for disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of filing of the same.
• New Delhi is the Principal Place of Sitting of the Tribunal and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai shall be the other four place of sitting of the Tribunal.
• Established on: 18th October, 2010.
• Headquarters: New Delhi.
• Present Chairperson: Justice Swatanter Kumar.