Green Court

Context:

Recently, the retired chairperson of National Green Tribunal (NGT) said that compliance of NGT orders by governments continues to be a serious issue.

About National Green Tribunal:

• The NGT was established under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010 as a statutory and quasi-judicial body.
• It is also known  as the ‘Green Court of India’.
• It is not bound by the Code of Civil Procedure 1908 rather guided by principles of natural justice.
• Composition:
  • The act allows for up to 40 members (20 expert members and 20 judicial members).
  • Chairman is the administrative head of the tribunal, also serves as a judicial member and is required to be a serving or retired Chief Justice of a High Court or a judge of the Supreme Court of India.
• Purpose: 
  1. Effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources.
  2. To ensure enforcement of any legal right relating to the environment and giving relief and compensation for damages to persons and property.
• Time Limit to Dispose of applications or appeals:  Within 6 months of filing.
• Principal Place of Sitting: New Delhi
  • Regional Benches:  Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai
• Deals with cases under: 
  • Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
  • Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977
  • Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
  • Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981
  • Environment (Protection) Act, 1986
  • Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991
  • Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

News Source: The Hindu

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