National Green Tribunal

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is an independent body established by the Government of India to handle an increasing number of cases related to environmental laws and pollution. Environment-related issues are of supreme importance, and any damage caused by hypocritical factors is not acceptable. The NGT became functional on July 18, 2011. NGT is also one such initiative taken by the Central Government and the State Governments. In this article, we will learn about NGT. Who can become a Member of NGT? Criteria you need to become a member of the NGT and the Importance of the National Green Tribunal. 

About NGT

The NGT became functional on July 18, 2011. The Tribunal has been established on the pattern of International Courts with specialised judges to handle environmental disputes involving multi-disciplinary issues. It deals with implementing various environmental statutes and enforcement of any legal right due to violation of environmental laws or for the imposition of penalties. It also handles the cases which affect the ecology and cause environmental degradation having cross-border effects. 

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has 5 benches in Delhi, Bhopal, Pune, Chennai, and Kolkata. This ensures that it remains a national body and not just limited to Delhi. 

Importance Of NGT

Before establishing the NGT, there was no specialised forum or institution in India dealing with environmental issues. The NGT can entertain matters relating to breach of an international convention or treaty relating to the environment, even when the concerned matter is pending before a court or Tribunal.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) was established in 2010 and is an independent body that has been formulated for effective protection of the environment and giving relief and compensation for damages. The NGT was formulated to handle the increasing number of environmental laws and pollution cases.

The National Green Tribunal is an environmentalist in India. Conservation of forests and other natural resources. Under its judicial matter, the NGT may hear matters about environmental damage due to scientific or industrial development, shipping, mining or processing of minerals, or any other hazard that may harm the environment in India. The NGT has jurisdiction to hear all civil cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources. The NGT is expected to make an order within 6 months of the case being filed; if this time limit is exceeded.

Who can become a Member of NGT?

The President can appoint the Chairperson on the recommendation of a selection committee, which includes:

• The Prime Minister

• The Union Minister of Law and Justice

• The Chief Justice of India

• Or a judge of the Supreme Court, nominated by the Chief Justice of India.

Any person who has been a judge of a High Court for at least five years or has retired as a District Judge after serving in such capacity for at least five years is eligible for appointment to the position of judicial member.

• A person of high integrity and judicial temperament;

• Well-versed in environmental law and procedure.

• A person has been a Judge of the Supreme Court or a senior High Court Judge, or an eminent environmentalist with 15 years of experience.

• A person has special knowledge of and professional experience in environmental protection and ecology.

• A person has knowledge of and professional experience in law, social service, management, environment ecology, climate change, engineering, etc.

• A person has special knowledge or practical experience in connection with problems relating to environmental protection and ecology. 

The basic eligibility criteria for becoming a member of the NGT is that you must be some senior judicial official (or someone with considerable experience in handling environmental issues).

If you’ve worked in an environment-related field or are an expert on environmental issues, the NGT may also consider your application. 

National Green Tribunal (NGT) During Pandemic

The ministry said that sittings of NGT have been constantly held at all principal benches and zonal benches across India despite the COVID-19 pandemic. The ministry said that all workshops, sittings, and other sessions of NGT had been held as per the schedule. 

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) said on April 26 that its principal bench in New Delhi and all zonal benches across India have been functioning through video conferencing.

Conclusion

In this article, we Learned about NGT. Who can become a Member of NGT? criteria you need to become a member of the NGT and the Importance of the National Green Tribunal. The NGT became functional on July 18, 2011. The Tribunal has been established on the pattern of International Courts with specialised judges to handle environmental disputes involving multi-disciplinary issues. It also handles the cases which affect the ecology and cause environmental degradation having cross-border effects. Providing further details on the functioning of the Green Tribunal, it said that in March 2020, 73 matters were listed before various NGT Benches, including 65 judicial matters and 8 administrative matters.