Page 50 – National Green Tribunal
Based on M. Laxmikanth – Indian Polity (6th Edition)
Key Idea Summary
Core concepts and exam relevance
NGT handles environmental disputes involving:
- Pollution
- Forest conservation
- Environmental clearances
- Hazardous waste
Established by National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.
- Composition and powers
- Jurisdiction over environmental laws
- Key principles: Polluter Pays, Precautionary
- Key judgments and cases
Structure of NGT
Composition and benches
Members
- Chairperson: SC Judge OR HC Chief Justice
- Judicial Members: HC Judges
- Expert Members: Environment/Science experts
- Minimum 10, maximum 20 full-time members
Benches
- Principal Bench: Delhi
- Regional Benches:
- Pune (Western Zone)
- Bhopal (Central Zone)
- Kolkata (Eastern Zone)
- Chennai (Southern Zone)
Tenure
- 5 years OR
- 65 years of age
- Whichever is earlier
- Eligible for reappointment for 5 years
Selection Committee
- CJI or SC Judge (Chair)
- Judge from SC (Judicial members)
- Secretary, MoEF (Expert members)
Powers & Jurisdiction
Environmental justice delivery
✅ Jurisdiction Covers
- Water (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act
- Air (Prevention & Control of Pollution) Act
- Forest Conservation Act
- Environment Protection Act
- Biological Diversity Act
- Public Liability Insurance Act
- National Environment Tribunal Act (repealed)
⚡ Powers
- Original jurisdiction on environment cases
- Pass interim orders
- Order compensation
- Order restoration of environment
- Order closure of polluting units
- Civil court powers
Guiding Principles
Foundation of NGT decisions
Polluter Pays Principle
The polluter must bear the cost of:
- Environmental damage
- Restoration of environment
- Compensation to victims
- Cleanup operations
Precautionary Principle
When there is scientific uncertainty:
- Err on the side of caution
- Prevent environmental damage
- Burden of proof on polluter
- Action before harm occurs
Evolution of NGT
Key milestones
National Green Tribunal Act enacted by Parliament
NGT becomes functional; Principal Bench in Delhi
Yamuna cleanup, Sterlite closure, Delhi pollution, Ganga rejuvenation
India's first specialized environmental court; thousands of cases disposed
Simulation Lab
NGT Case Process
🧪 NGT Case Simulator
Select a scenario to see NGT's action.
Select a scenario to see NGT's action.
Exam Booster – Practice Questions
Test your understanding
1 NGT is established under which Act?
NGT Act 2010 established the tribunal. It's India's first specialized environmental court. Principal bench in Delhi.
2 Which principles guide NGT decisions?
NGT explicitly applies Polluter Pays Principle (polluter bears cost) and Precautionary Principle (prevention over cure, burden on polluter).
Memory Hooks & Quick Revision
Key takeaways for exam day
Revision Summary
3 Exam Points to Remember
- 1 NGT Act 2010: Principal Bench Delhi | 4 Regional benches | Judicial + Expert members
- 2 Principles: Polluter Pays + Precautionary | Can order compensation, restoration, closure
- 3 Covers: Water Act, Air Act, Forest Conservation Act, EPA, Biodiversity Act