Why in the news

• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognisance and initiated a formal inquiry into the reported air and water pollution attributed to Fresh Cut Organic Products Private Limited in Kerala.

National Green Tribunal (NGT)

• Established under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010.
• New Delhi is the Principal Place of Sitting of the Tribunal and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai shall be the other four places of sitting of the Tribunal.
• Mandate – To make disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of the filing of the same.
• Composition of NGT
  • Chairperson, the Judicial Members, and Expert Members.
  • They shall hold office for a term of 5 years and are not eligible for reappointment.
• Powers and Jurisdiction
  • Established for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources.
  • It has appellate jurisdiction to hear appeals as a Court.
  • The Tribunal is not bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but shall be guided by principles of natural justice.
• The NGT deals with civil cases under the seven laws related to the environment, which include:
  • The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974,
  • The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cess Act, 1977,
  • The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980,
  • The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981,
  • The Environment (Protection) Act, 1986,
  • The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991
  • The Biological Diversity Act, 2002.

Source: The Hindu