The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is a specialized judicial body in India that handles environmental disputes and enforcement of environmental laws. It was established under the National Green Tribunal Act of 2010. The NGT has a hierarchical structure with various levels of officials responsible for different functions.
The NGT’s structure is designed to ensure that environmental disputes and violations are addressed in a timely and efficient manner. The specialized nature of the tribunal, along with the expertise of its members, helps to ensure that environmental issues are dealt with fairly and effectively.
The following is a brief explanation of the structure of the NGT:
- Chairperson: The NGT is headed by a Chairperson who is a retired judge of the Supreme Court of India or a High Court Judge. The Chairperson is responsible for the overall functioning of the Tribunal.
- Judicial Members: The NGT consists of judicial members who are appointed by the central government. They are typically former judges of the Supreme Court or High Court. The judicial members hear cases and provide decisions based on the evidence presented to them.
- Expert Members: The NGT also has expert members who are appointed by the central government. These members are typically experts in fields such as environmental science, ecology, and conservation. They provide technical expertise and advice to the judicial members.
- Regional Benches: The NGT has several regional benches located in various parts of India. Each bench is headed by a judicial member and has at least one expert member. The benches are responsible for hearing cases related to environmental disputes in their respective regions.
- Principal Bench: The NGT’s Principal Bench is located in New Delhi and is headed by the Chairperson. The Principal Bench hears cases related to national-level environmental issues and disputes.
- Registry: The NGT has a registry that is responsible for maintaining records of all cases and proceedings. It is headed by a Registrar who is appointed by the Chairperson.
National Green Tribunal Structure Functions
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is a specialized judicial body in India that handles environmental disputes and enforcement of environmental laws. The NGT has several functions that are aimed at protecting and preserving the environment. Some of the key functions of the NGT are as follows:
- Hearing and Deciding Cases: The NGT hears and decides cases related to environmental disputes and violations. These cases can be related to a wide range of environmental issues, including air pollution, water pollution, waste management, and biodiversity conservation.
- Providing Relief and Compensation: The NGT has the power to provide relief and compensation to victims of environmental damage. This can include ordering polluters to pay compensation to affected parties or directing authorities to take measures to mitigate environmental damage.
- Regulating Activities: The NGT can regulate activities that are likely to have an adverse impact on the environment. This includes activities such as mining, construction, and industrial operations.
- Monitoring and Enforcing Compliance: The NGT has the power to monitor and enforce compliance with environmental laws and regulations. This includes conducting inspections and audits of facilities to ensure that they are operating in compliance with environmental standards.
- Promoting Environmental Awareness: The NGT promotes environmental awareness and education by conducting workshops, seminars, and other outreach programs. This helps to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote sustainable practices.
Table outlining the offices of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in India:
| Office | Location | Jurisdiction |
| Principal Bench | New Delhi | All over India |
| Zonal Benches | Bhopal, Chennai, | Southern, Western, and Eastern regions of India |
| Pune and Kolkata | ||
| Circuit Benches | Shimla, Kochi, | Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, and Uttarakhand |
| Jaipur and Allahabad |
The Principal Bench of the NGT is located in New Delhi and has jurisdiction over environmental disputes and violations across the country. There are also four Zonal Benches located in Bhopal, Chennai, Pune, and Kolkata. These benches have jurisdiction over the Southern, Western, and Eastern regions of India, respectively.
In addition, there are Circuit Benches located in Shimla, Kochi, Jaipur, and Allahabad. These benches have jurisdiction over specific states or regions, such as Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, and Uttarakhand.
The NGT has a decentralized structure, with multiple offices located across the country. This helps to ensure that environmental disputes and violations can be addressed in a timely and efficient manner, regardless of where they occur.