Pollution of rivers, cutting of forests and harmful industrial waste affect millions of people. Ordinary courts take years to decide such cases. To give faster justice on environmental matters, India set up the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2010. Exams ask about the NGT Act, its benches, the laws it covers and the principles it follows. This post explains them in simple words. It ends with 15 previous year questions.
Key Points (Quick Revision)
- The NGT was set up under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, on 18 October 2010.
- Its principal bench is in New Delhi, with zonal benches in Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai.
- India became the third country after Australia and New Zealand to set up a specialised environmental tribunal.
- It hears cases under seven environmental laws listed in the Act.
- Appeals against NGT orders go to the Supreme Court within 90 days.
1. Why the NGT was set up
The Supreme Court has held that the right to a healthy environment is part of the right to life under Article 21. But environmental cases need technical knowledge and quick decisions, which regular courts find hard.
The Law Commission, in its 186th report, recommended specialised environmental courts. The NGT replaced the earlier National Environment Appellate Authority and gave India a single body with both judges and environmental experts.
2. Structure of the NGT
- Chairperson - a retired judge of the Supreme Court or a retired Chief Justice of a High Court.
- Judicial members - retired judges of High Courts.
- Expert members - people with expertise and experience in environment, science or administration.
- The Act provides for 10 to 20 judicial members and 10 to 20 expert members.
Every bench usually has at least one judicial member and one expert member, so both law and science are considered.
3. Benches
| Bench | Place |
|---|---|
| Principal Bench | New Delhi |
| Central Zone | Bhopal |
| Western Zone | Pune |
| Eastern Zone | Kolkata |
| Southern Zone | Chennai |
The NGT can also hold circuit sittings in other places to make it easier for people to reach it.
4. Laws covered by the NGT
The NGT hears civil cases about a substantial question relating to the environment under these seven laws:
- 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
The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and the Forest Rights Act, 2006 are not in this list - a common exam trap.
5. How the NGT works
- It is not bound by the Code of Civil Procedure, but follows the principles of natural justice.
- It tries to decide cases within six months of filing.
- It can order relief and compensation to victims of pollution and restoration of damaged areas.
- Its orders are binding and can be enforced like a decree of a civil court.
- Appeals go to the Supreme Court within 90 days.
6. Principles the NGT applies
| Principle | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Sustainable development | Development that meets today's needs without harming future generations |
| Precautionary principle | If an activity may cause serious harm, act to prevent it even without full scientific proof |
| Polluter pays | Whoever causes pollution must pay for the damage and clean-up |
7. Impact and criticism
- The NGT has passed major orders on air pollution in Delhi, cleaning of rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna, solid waste management and illegal sand mining.
- Critics point to vacancies in benches, delays in some cases, and weak follow-up on compensation orders.
- Some industries say strict orders hurt projects, while activists say enforcement is still slow.
8. Previous year questions
- Under which Act was the NGT set up? – National Green Tribunal Act, 2010
- When was the NGT established? – 18 October 2010
- Where is the principal bench of the NGT? – New Delhi
- Name the zonal benches of the NGT. – Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai
- India was which country to set up a specialised environmental tribunal? – Third, after Australia and New Zealand
- Which Article is the basis of the right to a healthy environment? – Article 21
- Who can be the Chairperson of the NGT? – A retired Supreme Court judge or retired High Court Chief Justice
- Which body did the NGT replace? – National Environment Appellate Authority
- How many laws are listed under the NGT Act? – Seven
- Is the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 covered by the NGT? – No
- Within how many days can an NGT order be appealed in the Supreme Court? – 90 days
- Within how many months does the NGT try to decide cases? – Six months
- Which principle says that the polluter must pay for damage? – Polluter pays principle
- Is the NGT bound by the Code of Civil Procedure? – No, it follows natural justice
- Which Law Commission report recommended environmental courts? – 186th report
9. How to revise this topic
Start with the basics: NGT Act 2010, set up 18 October 2010, Article 21, third country after Australia and New Zealand.
Next, learn the benches: principal bench New Delhi; zonal benches Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata, Chennai.
Then fix the seven laws by year - 1974, 1977, 1980, 1981, 1986, 1991, 2002 - and remember Wildlife Act 1972 and Forest Rights Act 2006 are not covered.
Finally, remember the working rules: six-month target, natural justice, appeal to Supreme Court in 90 days, and the three principles.
10. Frequently Asked Questions
What is the National Green Tribunal?
The NGT is a specialised body set up under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 to decide environmental cases quickly, with both judicial and expert members.
Where are the benches of the NGT?
The principal bench is in New Delhi, and the zonal benches are in Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai.
Which laws does the NGT deal with?
It deals with seven laws: the Water Act 1974, Water Cess Act 1977, Forest (Conservation) Act 1980, Air Act 1981, Environment (Protection) Act 1986, Public Liability Insurance Act 1991 and Biological Diversity Act 2002.
Can NGT orders be challenged?
Yes. An appeal against an NGT order can be filed in the Supreme Court within 90 days.
What is the polluter pays principle?
It means that whoever causes pollution must pay for the damage and the cost of cleaning it up. The NGT applies it along with sustainable development and the precautionary principle.
For more Polity topics in simple language, see our Tribunals in India, Supreme Court of India and National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries posts, or browse the Polity section. Preparing for a civil services exam? Start with the UPSC Civil Services guide or join the 100 Hour GS Course.