National Green Tribunal: statute, five places of sitting and the six-month disposal mandate

Background

The National Green Tribunal was established on 18.10.2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010.
It exists for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources, including enforcement of legal rights relating to the environment and relief and compensation for damages to persons and property.
The Tribunal is mandated to endeavour to dispose of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of filing.
It is not bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, nor by the Indian Evidence Act, 1872, and is guided by principles of natural justice; it is, however, vested with the powers of a civil court for discharging its functions.
Section 19 of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 gives the Tribunal power to regulate its own procedure.
The NGT was set up at five places of sittings and follows a circuit procedure; New Delhi is the Principal Place of Sitting and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai are the other four.
The Tribunal identifies necessary parties under statutes mentioned in Schedule I of the NGT Act, 2010 and requires them to respond by email.
It entertains letter petitions, and a complaint can be filed even without an advocate.