National Green Tribunal (NGT)

National Green Tribunal (NGT)

Why in News:
The southern bench of the NGT has given the Kerala government a three-day deadline to address the issue of illegal dumping of biomedical and solid waste in Tamil Nadu.

About National Green Tribunal (NGT):

Establishment:
The NGT was formed under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, to ensure efficient and timely resolution of cases related to environmental protection, forest conservation, and natural resource management.

Primary Location:
The principal bench is based in New Delhi, with additional benches in Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata, and Chennai.

Composition:

  • Chairperson: A retired Supreme Court judge.
  • Judicial Members: Retired High Court judges.
  • Expert Members: Professionals with at least 15 years of experience in environmental or forest-related fields.
  • Bench Structure: Each bench includes at least one judicial member and one expert member to ensure balanced and informed decisions.

Powers and Jurisdiction:

  • Scope: The NGT deals with civil cases concerning environmental laws outlined in Schedule I of the NGT Act, including:
    • The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974.
    • The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977.
    • The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.
    • The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
    • The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
    • The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991.
    • The Biological Diversity Act, 2002.
  • Special Powers:
    • Acts as an appellate authority for cases related to the environment.
    • Operates on the principles of natural justice, without being bound by the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
    • Resolves cases within six months of their filing.
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Details of the Tribunal’s Order:
The Kerala government must either retrieve the illegally dumped waste or enter into an agreement with Tamil Nadu’s Common Biomedical Waste Treatment Facility to ensure proper disposal. In a similar case in Nanguneri, Kerala was previously directed to pay ₹69,000 for cleanup efforts.

What is the National Green Tribunal (NGT)?

The NGT is a specialized judicial body formed under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, to address environmental protection, forest conservation, and natural resource management issues.

Why was the NGT established?

It was established to ensure efficient and timely resolution of environmental disputes and to provide a dedicated forum for handling environmental issues.

Where are the benches of the NGT located?

The principal bench is in New Delhi, with additional benches in Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata, and Chennai.

Who are the members of the NGT?

The NGT includes a chairperson (a retired Supreme Court judge), judicial members (retired High Court judges), and expert members with at least 15 years of experience in environmental or forest-related fields.

What is the unique feature of NGT’s operations?

The NGT is not bound by the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, and operates based on principles of natural justice to ensure flexibility and fairness in decision-making.

How quickly does the NGT resolve cases?

The NGT is mandated to dispose of cases within six months of their filing to ensure timely justice.

What powers does the NGT have?

The NGT acts as an appellate authority for environmental cases and has the authority to enforce environmental laws effectively.

What recent action has the NGT taken regarding waste management?

The NGT recently gave a three-day ultimatum to the Kerala government to address illegal biomedical and solid waste dumping in Tamil Nadu, emphasizing compliance with waste management protocols.

What are Tribunals in India?

Tribunals in India are judicial or quasi-judicial bodies established to provide faster resolution of disputes compared to traditional courts. They specialize in specific subject areas and serve functions such as resolving disputes, adjudicating rights between parties, making administrative decisions, and reviewing administrative actions.

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