Role of National Green Tribunal in Environment Protection

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) plays an important role in protecting the environment in India. It ensures that environmental laws are followed, resolves environmental disputes quickly and helps protect forests, rivers, wildlife and other natural resources. 

Established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, the NGT also awards compensation for environmental damage, orders restoration of affected areas and promotes sustainable development while balancing environmental protection with development.

Add LawBhoomi as your preferred source on Google.

Add Now →

What Is the National Green Tribunal?

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is a specialised judicial body established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010. It was created to provide effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection, conservation of forests, natural resources and enforcement of legal rights relating to the environment.

Unlike ordinary courts, the NGT consists of both judicial members and expert members with knowledge of environmental science, forestry, ecology and related disciplines. This multidisciplinary approach enables the Tribunal to deal with technically complex environmental disputes more effectively.

The Tribunal has jurisdiction over civil cases involving substantial environmental questions arising under specified environmental laws.

Objectives of the National Green Tribunal

The National Green Tribunal was established with several important objectives:

• To ensure speedy disposal of environmental disputes.
• To provide effective remedies for environmental damage.
• To enforce environmental laws and regulations.
• To protect forests, wildlife and biodiversity.
• To provide compensation to victims of environmental harm.
• To restore damaged ecosystems.
• To promote sustainable development.
• To reduce the burden on ordinary courts in environmental matters.

These objectives reflect India’s commitment towards environmental conservation and sustainable growth.

Jurisdiction of the National Green Tribunal

The NGT exercises jurisdiction over disputes arising under various environmental laws, including:

• 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

The Tribunal can hear original applications, appeals against environmental clearances, orders passed by statutory authorities and matters relating to compensation and environmental restoration.

Role of the National Green Tribunal in Environment Protection

The National Green Tribunal performs several important functions that contribute towards environmental governance in India.

Providing Speedy Environmental Justice

One of the primary roles of the NGT is to ensure quick resolution of environmental disputes. Environmental damage often requires immediate intervention because delays can lead to irreversible harm.

The Tribunal aims to dispose of cases within six months wherever possible. Faster adjudication helps prevent further environmental degradation and provides timely relief to affected individuals and communities.

Enforcing Environmental Laws

The NGT ensures that industries, government authorities and other stakeholders comply with environmental laws.

Whenever violations of environmental statutes are identified, the Tribunal has the authority to issue directions for compliance, impose penalties and order restoration of damaged ecosystems. This strengthens the implementation of environmental legislation across the country.

Protecting Natural Resources

The Tribunal plays an important role in conserving natural resources such as:

• Forests
• Rivers
• Lakes
• Wetlands
• Wildlife habitats
• Coastal ecosystems
• Biodiversity-rich regions

Its decisions often focus on preventing activities that may permanently damage these valuable environmental resources.

Promoting Sustainable Development

Development projects frequently involve balancing economic growth with environmental protection. The NGT ensures that development takes place without causing unnecessary ecological damage.

The Tribunal examines whether projects have complied with environmental laws, obtained necessary clearances and adopted adequate safeguards before permitting activities that may affect the environment.

Applying Environmental Principles

The National Green Tribunal consistently applies internationally recognised environmental principles while deciding cases.

Sustainable Development

This principle requires that developmental activities should meet present needs without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

The Tribunal frequently relies on this principle while examining infrastructure, industrial and mining projects.

Precautionary Principle

Where there is a possibility of serious environmental harm, preventive measures should be taken even if complete scientific certainty is unavailable.

The NGT often applies this principle in cases involving hazardous industries, pollution and ecological degradation.

Polluter Pays Principle

According to this principle, the person or industry responsible for causing pollution must bear the cost of preventing, controlling and remedying environmental damage.

The Tribunal regularly directs polluting industries to pay compensation for environmental restoration.

Awarding Compensation

The NGT has the power to grant compensation for:

• Loss of life caused by environmental accidents
• Damage to property
• Injury to public health
• Environmental degradation
• Ecological restoration

Compensation is awarded not only to affected individuals but also for restoring damaged ecosystems.

Restoring Environmental Damage

The Tribunal does not merely punish violations. It also ensures that damaged environments are restored.

Depending on the nature of the case, the Tribunal may direct:

• Removal of pollutants
• Restoration of rivers and lakes
• Reforestation
• Scientific waste management
• Rehabilitation of affected habitats
• Environmental monitoring

This restorative approach makes the Tribunal unique among judicial institutions.

Reviewing Environmental Clearances

The NGT hears appeals against environmental clearances granted for projects such as:

• Industries
• Mining operations
• Infrastructure projects
• Highways
• Power plants
• Urban development projects

The Tribunal examines whether statutory procedures have been followed before environmental approvals were granted.

Ensuring Accountability of Authorities

Environmental protection is not solely the responsibility of industries. Government agencies also have statutory duties.

The Tribunal regularly issues directions to:

• Central Government
• State Governments
• Pollution Control Boards
• Local authorities
• Municipal bodies

These directions ensure effective implementation of environmental laws and improve administrative accountability.

Improving Access to Environmental Justice

The establishment of the NGT has made environmental justice more accessible.

Individuals, communities, environmental organisations and affected persons can approach the Tribunal regarding environmental violations. The specialised nature of the Tribunal enables quicker and more effective adjudication compared to ordinary civil courts.

Reducing Burden on Constitutional Courts

Before the establishment of the NGT, environmental matters were largely decided by High Courts and the Supreme Court.

The Tribunal now handles specialised environmental disputes, allowing constitutional courts to focus on broader constitutional and legal issues while ensuring expert adjudication of environmental matters.

Powers of the National Green Tribunal

The National Green Tribunal enjoys wide powers for effective environmental protection.

Some important powers include:

• Hearing original environmental disputes.
• Entertaining appeals against environmental clearances.
• Awarding compensation to victims.
• Ordering environmental restoration.
• Directing closure of polluting industries.
• Issuing interim directions.
• Constituting expert committees.
• Conducting inspections through committees.
• Monitoring implementation of its orders.
• Applying principles of environmental jurisprudence.

The Tribunal is guided by the principles of natural justice and is not strictly bound by the procedural rules contained in the Code of Civil Procedure.

Recent Contributions of the National Green Tribunal Towards Environment Protection

Several important interventions demonstrate the active role played by the National Green Tribunal in protecting the environment.

Baghjan Oil Well Fire

In May 2020, a blowout occurred at an Oil India Limited (OIL) gas-producing well at Baghjan in Assam, close to the Dibru-Saikhowa National Park. The uncontrolled gas leak later resulted in a massive fire, causing loss of human lives, destruction of biodiversity, pollution and significant damage to the surrounding ecosystem.

Following petitions filed before the Tribunal, the NGT constituted a committee headed by retired Justice B.P. Katakey to investigate the incident. The Tribunal also directed Oil India Limited to deposit an interim amount of ₹25 crore with the District Magistrate of Tinsukia.

The committee examined multiple aspects, including:

• Cause of the blowout.
• Pollution of air, soil and water.
• Damage to biodiversity.
• Loss suffered by local communities.
• Responsibility for the accident.
• Environmental restoration measures.
• Compensation payable to affected persons.

The investigation revealed several environmental compliance issues, including alleged violations of environmental laws, failure to obtain mandatory statutory consents, non-compliance with conditions imposed for hydrocarbon extraction and failure to conduct the required Biodiversity Impact Assessment.

The committee further recommended legal action against Oil India Limited and compensation for affected families, demonstrating the Tribunal’s commitment towards environmental accountability and restoration.

Vizag Gas Tragedy

In May 2020, a styrene gas leak occurred at the LG Polymers plant in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh. The leak resulted in multiple deaths, injuries to hundreds of people and damage to livestock, vegetation and the surrounding environment.

The National Green Tribunal took suo motu cognisance of the incident and immediately constituted a five-member expert committee.

The Tribunal also directed LG Polymers India Pvt. Ltd. to deposit ₹50 crore as an interim measure.

One of the most significant aspects of this case was the Tribunal’s application of the Principle of Absolute Liability. Since the enterprise was engaged in hazardous industrial activities, it was held liable for the consequences arising from the gas leak.

The committee was assigned to investigate:

• The sequence of events.
• Human casualties.
• Environmental damage.
• Public health impact.
• Cause of the accident.
• Responsibility of concerned authorities.
• Compensation.
• Environmental restoration.
• Preventive measures.

The Tribunal’s prompt intervention highlighted the importance of immediate judicial oversight in industrial disasters affecting both human life and the environment.

Firecracker Ban

Air pollution during festive seasons has remained a recurring environmental concern in India.

In 2020, the National Green Tribunal passed important directions regarding the use of firecrackers based on ambient air quality.

The Tribunal ordered:

• A complete ban on the sale and bursting of firecrackers in cities where air quality fell under the ‘poor’ or worse category.
• Use of only green crackers in cities with moderate or better air quality.
• Restriction of bursting of permitted crackers to two hours.

These directions reflected the Tribunal’s proactive approach in balancing cultural practices with the need to safeguard public health and environmental quality.

Significance of the National Green Tribunal

The National Green Tribunal has significantly strengthened environmental governance in India.

Its importance can be understood through the following contributions:

• Faster disposal of environmental disputes.
• Better enforcement of environmental laws.
• Scientific decision-making through expert members.
• Stronger accountability of industries and public authorities.
• Protection of biodiversity and natural resources.
• Effective implementation of environmental principles.
• Improved access to environmental justice.
• Promotion of sustainable development.

The Tribunal has also played an important role in developing India’s environmental jurisprudence by consistently applying constitutional values and internationally recognised environmental principles.

Conclusion

The National Green Tribunal has emerged as one of India’s most important institutions for environmental protection. Through speedy adjudication, specialised expertise and effective enforcement of environmental laws, it has strengthened environmental governance across the country. 

Its interventions in major environmental disasters, industrial pollution cases and public health issues demonstrate its commitment to balancing development with ecological conservation. As environmental challenges continue to evolve, the National Green Tribunal remains a vital institution for ensuring environmental justice, sustainable development and protection of natural resources for present and future generations.

Note: This article was originally written by Sakshi Rawat and published on 29 April 2020. It was subsequently updated by the LawBhoomi team on 17 July 2026.