1. National Green Tribunal
(Established under section-3 of National Green Tribunal Act, 2010)
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) was created to ensure effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection, conservation of forests, and enforcement of environmental rights. It is a specialized environmental court designed to deliver speedy justice in ecological matters.
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2. Composition -
A provision has been made in section 4 regarding the constitution of National Green Tribunal. According to this, the formation of National Green Tribunal will consist of the following -
(i) One Whole Time Chairman;
(ii) Minimum 10 and maximum 20 whole-time judicial members;
(iii) Minimum 10 and maximum 20 whole-time expert members.
The Chairperson may also invite experts in specific cases when technical assistance is required.
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3. Qualifications- ( Section -5)
The Chairperson and Judicial Member of the Tribunal may be a person who-
(i) Be a judge of the Supreme Court; either
(ii) Is or has been a Chief Justice of a High Court,
(iii) A judge of the High Court can become a judicial member.
Expert member, a person who, along with a doctorate degree, holds-
(i) Master of Science in Physics or Life Sciences, or
(ii) Master of Engineering; either
(iii) Master of Technology; And
(iv) Minimum 15 years of experience in the field of environmental protection and biodiversity management etc. (Sec. 5)
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4. Terms of office - (Section -7,8)
The term of office of the Chairperson and the members shall be five years subject to the following age limit -
(i) In case of Judge of Supreme Court - 70 years
(ii) In case of Chief Justice of High Court - 67 years
(iii) For Judicial Members - 67 years
(iv) For expert members - 65 years (Sec. 7)
The Chairperson or a member of the Tribunal may resign his office at any time by giving notice in writing to the Central Government. (Sec. 8)
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5. Salary and Allowances- (Section- 9)
The salary and allowances and terms and conditions of service of the Chairperson and members shall be such as may be prescribed. (Sec. 9)
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6. Removal from office- (Section- 10)
After giving a reasonable opportunity of being heard to the Speaker and the member, he can be removed from office on the following grounds-
(i) On being adjudged insolvent,
(ii) on conviction in a case involving moral turpitude,
(iii) become physically or mentally unwell,
(iv) having acquired any financial or other interest,
(v) Abuse of position. (Sec. 10)
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7. Jurisdiction of the Tribunal - (Section 14)
•The jurisdiction of the Tribunal is mentioned in section 14 of the Act, according to-
The Tribunal shall have jurisdiction to hear all such civil matters, which involve any material question relating to the environment.
In addition, it shall also have jurisdiction to hear questions arising out of the implementation of the following Acts-
(i) The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
(ii) The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977
(iii) Forest Conservation Act, 1980
(iv) Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
(v) Environment Protection Act, 1986
(vi) Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991; And
(vii) Biodiversity Act, 2002
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8. Limitation Period -
•Application must be filed within 6 months from the date the cause of action arises.
•Delay can be condoned up to 60 additional days if sufficient cause is shown.
The Act prioritizes speed — environmental damage worsens with delay.
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9. Relief, compensation and restitution - (Section -15)
Under section 15, the Tribunal may pass the following order-
(1) Relief and compensation to the aggrieved parties in the following cases-
(i)Environmental pollution,
(ii) Environmental damage,
(iii) Cases of accidents, etc., occurring during the handling of hazardous substances
(2) Replacement of damaged property; And
(3) Restoration of the environment of such areas as the Tribunal
may think fit.
Such compensation, relief or restitution shall be in addition to the relief granted under the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1999.
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10. Appellate jurisdiction (Section 16)
Under section 16, the Tribunal may hear appeals against any order
passed under the following Acts-
(i) Under Section 28 of The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
(ii) Under Section 29 of The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
(iii) Under Section 33A of The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
(iv) Under Section 13 of The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977
(v) Under Section 2 of Forest Conservation Act, 1980
(vi) Under Section 31 of Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
(vii) Under Section 5 of Environment Protection Act, 1986
(viii) An order passed under Biodiversity Act, 2002.
Limitation of 30 days is fixed for filing of such appeal.
However, this period can be further extended up to 60 days if there is sufficient cause for delay.
The memorandum of appeal shall be filed with-
(i) The prescribed format,
(ii) Necessary documents;
(iii) Charge. (Sec. 18)
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11. Who Can File an Application or Appeal? (Section 18)
Following persons can file an appeal under Section 18-
(a) The person to whom the injury is caused;
(b) The owner of the property to which the damage has been caused,
(c) Legal representative of the deceased, in case of death
(d) Agent of such person;
(e) Representative body or organization;
(f) Central or state government or union territory administration
(g) Following constituted or established under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 or any other law for the time being in force,--
(i) Central Pollution Control Board;
(ii) State Pollution Control Board;
(iii) Any pollution control committee;
(iv) Local authority; or
(v) Any environmental authority
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12. Process- (Section 19)
Section 19 of the Act lays down the procedure of the Tribunal, namely-
(i) The Tribunal shall regulate its own procedure.
(ii) It shall not be bound to follow the procedure prescribed in the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908,
(iii) It shall also not be bound by the rules of evidence prescribed in the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, but
(iv) It will be guided by principles of natural justice.
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13. Powers- (Section 19)
Under Section 19 of the Act, the Tribunal has been given all the powers of a civil court under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 in the following cases-
(i) Summons any person and examines him on oath,
(ii) Requisitioning the discovery and production of documents.
(iii) Receiving evidence on affidavits,
(iv) To call for or requisition any public document or record from any office,
(v) Issuing commissions for the examination of witnesses of documents,
(vi) Review your decisions,
(vii) Pass ex parte order,
(viii) Setting aside an ex parte order,
(ix) Passing interim orders, etc.
All decisions will be made by majority. (Sec. 21)
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14. Appeal to the Supreme Court
(Section 22)
Appeal against the orders of the Tribunal will be made in the Supreme Court in 90 days. (Sec. 22)
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15. Conclusion-
The National Green Tribunal represents a structural shift in India’s environmental governance. It combines judicial authority with scientific expertise, removes procedural rigidity, and focuses on speedy resolution.
In a country facing severe environmental degradation, the NGT acts as a specialized watchdog ensuring accountability and restoration rather than mere symbolic compliance.
For environmental justice in India, the NGT is not optional — it is essential.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is the purpose of the National Green Tribunal?
-The National Green Tribunal was established to ensure speedy and effective disposal of environmental disputes involving substantial questions relating to the environment.
2. Under which law was the NGT established?
-It was established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.
3. What types of cases can the NGT hear?
-The Tribunal hears civil cases related to environmental protection, forest conservation, pollution control, and biodiversity under specified environmental laws.
4. What is the limitation period for filing an application before the NGT?
-An application must be filed within 6 months from the date of cause of action, extendable by 60 days if sufficient cause is shown.
5. Can NGT orders be appealed?
-Yes. Appeals against NGT orders can be filed before the Supreme Court within 90 days.
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Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. The National Green Tribunal was established under which year?
A. 2005
B. 2008
C. 2010
D. 2012
Answer: C
2. The maximum number of Judicial Members in the NGT is:
A. 10
B. 15
C. 20
D. 25
Answer: C
3. The NGT is guided by which principle while conducting proceedings?
A. Strict Civil Procedure Code
B. Indian Evidence Act only
C. Principles of Natural Justice
D. Criminal Procedure Code
Answer: C
4. Within how many days can an appeal be filed before the Supreme Court against an NGT order?
A. 30 days
B. 60 days
C. 90 days
D. 120 days
Answer: C
5. Which of the following Acts falls under the jurisdiction of the NGT?
A. Indian Penal Code
B. Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
C. Companies Act, 2013
D. Consumer Protection Act
Answer: B
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