National Green Tribunal: how it was set up and where it sits
Background
The National Green Tribunal has been established on 18.10.2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010.
Its purpose is the effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources.
The Tribunal is mandated to make and endeavour for disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of filing of the same.
New Delhi is the Principal Place of Sitting of the Tribunal, and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai are the other four places of sitting.
Section 19 of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 gives the Tribunal power to regulate its own procedure.
The Tribunal is not bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908 or the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, and is guided by principles of natural justice.
The Tribunal entertains letter petitions which bring to light instances of substantial environmental damage.
In plain words
NGT National Green Tribunal — A specialised tribunal for environmental disputes involving multi-disciplinary issues.
Letter petition A complaint sent as a letter instead of a formal application — A valid complaint is taken note of even without an advocate.
Principles of natural justice Basic fairness rules followed in place of rigid procedure — They include a fair hearing and freedom from bias.