Swaraj M Doshi.

LLB - TY, Roll No: 42

16 October 2023

NATIONAL GREEN TRIBUNAL VISIT

Date: 16 October 2023
INTRODUCTION

This report elaborates the experience of the eld visit undertaken by the nal year students of LLB and BA
LLB. The place of the eld visit was National Green Tribunal (NGT), Western Zone located at Camp, Pune.
The visit was organized by Respected Principal Shri. DR. Vishwanath Patil of Shri Shivaji Maratha Society’s
Law College. (S.S.M.S.L.C.) in coordination with Respected Assistant Professor Anjali Gavali Ma’am and
Respected Assistant Professor Anand Bokefode Sir, on Monday 16th of October 2023.

The purpose of the visit was to gain insights into the functioning, structure, and signi cance of the NGT,
which plays a vital role in ensuring environmental justice and the protection of our natural resources. The
National Green Tribunal (NGT) is a specialized judicial body in India that was established under the National
Green Tribunal Act, 2010. Its primary objective is to effectively handle cases related to environmental
protection and conservation. The NGT plays a crucial role in addressing environmental disputes, providing
speedy justice, and promoting sustainable development. The tribunal comprises of both judicial and expert
members who possess expertise in elds such as law, science, and environmental conservation.

The NGT has been established under The National Green Tribunal Act, 2010. The Act came when Mr. Jairam
Ramesh was the Minister of Environment and Forest. Since the NGT is a tribunal the laws of Civil Procedure
Code and the laws of Evidence are not applicable here. NGT has the jurisdiction over environment matters to
the exclusion of the civil courts. This report summarizes the key ndings and observations from the visit.

OBJECTIVE

The basic objective of our visit to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) was to gain a comprehensive
understanding of its functioning and role in environmental governance. The NGT is a specialized judicial body
established under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, tasked with resolving disputes related to
environmental protection and conservation. Our objective was to explore how the NGT operates, its decision-
making processes, and its impact on environmental justice.

During our visit, we had the opportunity to attend hearings and observe rsthand how cases were presented,
argued, and adjudicated upon by the tribunal members. Additionally, we engaged in discussions with NGT
of cials and legal experts to delve deeper into their perspectives on pressing environmental issues. Through
this visit, we aimed to analyze the effectiveness of the NGT as a forum for addressing environmental concerns
and promoting sustainable development.

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 Overview Of The National Green Tribunal’s

STRUCTURE

The National Green Tribunal has been established on 18.10.2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010.
The Tribunal shall not be bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
However, the Tribunal shall be guided by principles of Natural Justice. The Principal bench of the Tribunal is
at New Delhi while Zonal benches are situated at Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai. Western Zone Bench at
Pune consists of Maharashtra, Gujarat, Goa with Union Territories of Daman and Diu and Dadra and Nagar
Haveli.
Commencement of Western Zone Bench at Pune

With effect from 25th of August, 2013, Western Zone Bench was constituted with :
1. Hon’ble Shri.V.R.Kingaonkar. - Judicial Member
2. Hon’ble Dr. Ajay Achyutrao Deshpande.- Expert Member

Hon’ble Shri. Justice Adarsh Kumar Goel, Judge, Supreme Court of India has been appointed as Chairperson
of the National Green Tribunal. Western Zone Bench at Pune consisted of Hon’ble Shri. Justice Dinesh Kumar
Singh as full time Judicial Member and Hon’ble Dr. Vijay Kulkarni as full time Expert Member.

JURISDICTION

NGT shall have the jurisdiction over all civil cases where a substantial question relating to environment
including enforcement of any legal right relating to environment, is involved and such question arises out of
the implementation of the enactments speci ed in NGT Act and also for such area or areas, as the Tribunal
may think t. The Tribunal's dedicated jurisdiction in environmental matters shall provide speedy
environmental justice. The purpose of this is to help reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts.

Overview of the Visit

The visit was organized on Monday 16th of October 2023, where students of the nal year of LLB and BA LLB
visited the National Green Tribunal (NGT), Western Zone located at Camp, Pune. At the campus the students visited
the court room where the proceedings are conducted and the video conferencing room in court room 1.

An interactive session was conducted between Advocate Prathamesh Kattepatil who is a practicing advocate
and also deals with the matter relating to environment before the NGT. He gave us an overview of the NGT,
the functions of the NGT, the punishment that the NGT can award and the powers of the NGT. All the students
visited the court room and video conferencing room where the discussions were held followed by a question
and answer rounds.

The visit brought to light the scope and opportunities that the NGT beholds for the future lawyers. It forced the
students to wonder about the kind of power that vests with the NGT. The visit also enlightened the students
about some benchmark case law’s that took place here and most of all it made them realize about the
importance of protecting the environment

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 Some Key Findings and Observations

1.Ef cient Case Management: The NGT demonstrated remarkable ef ciency in managing environmental
cases. The use of electronic ling and modern technology for case management was evident and contributed to
the expeditious resolution of disputes. The NGT boasts state-of-the-art courtrooms equipped with the latest
audio-visual technology. These facilities ensure that proceedings are conducted ef ciently and allow for the
presentation of evidence, expert testimony, and audio-visual aids when necessary.

2.Expertise of the Judges: The judges presiding over the cases exhibited a high level of expertise in
environmental matters. Their commitment to environmental protection and their in-depth knowledge of
relevant laws were apparent. They possess a deep understanding of issues related to air and water pollution,
deforestation, wildlife conservation, waste management, and other environmental concerns. This expertise is
essential for interpreting and applying environmental laws accurately.

3.Transparency: The NGT's commitment to transparency was evident in the open court proceedings and the
availability of case-related information to the public. This fosters accountability and trust in the system.he
NGT has dedicated spaces for conferences and meetings. These facilities are used for discussions,
consultations, and conferences with legal practitioners, environmental experts, government representatives,
and other stakeholders involved in environmental disputes.

4.Administrative Support: The administrative of ces of the NGT are ef ciently managed and staffed by
competent personnel. The administrative team plays a crucial role in managing the tribunal's day-to-day
operations, including case scheduling, ling, and record-keeping. The tribunal houses well-maintained
electronic libraries that provide access to a vast collection of legal references, judgments, environmental laws,
and related literature. This resource is invaluable for judges, advocates, and researchers working on
environmental cases.

5.Speedy Dispute Resolution: One of the hallmark features of NGT judges is their commitment to resolving
environmental disputes expeditiously. They prioritize the timely adjudication of cases, understanding the
urgency often associated with environmental issues, such as pollution and habitat destruction.

6.Amenities and Accessibility: The NGT premises are wheelchair accessible, and provisions are made to
ensure that individuals with disabilities can access the tribunal's facilities and participate in proceedings
without any hindrance. Security measures in place to ensure the safety and security of all individuals within its
premises to enforce security protocols. Also proper facilities are made for Cafeteria, Parking and Separate
washrooms for both Male and Female staff with proper hygiene conditions.Visitors to the NGT are well-
accommodated with amenities such as waiting areas, restrooms, and access to drinking water. The tribunal
ensures that the environment within its premises is comfortable and accessible to all.

In summary, the National Green Tribunal's infrastructure and facilities are well-designed and equipped to
support its core functions in addressing environmetal disputes. The modern amenities, digital resources, and
commitment to sustainability make the NGT a model institution for the ef cient and responsible
administration of environmental justice.

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 Conclusion And Implications Of The Visit To The National Green Tribunal

In conclusion, the visit to the National Green Tribunal (NGT),Western Zone located at Camp, Pune provided
valuable insights into its functioning and its role in safeguarding the environment. The NGT stands as a crucial
institution in addressing environmental concerns and ensuring sustainable development. During the visit, it
became evident that the NGT has been successful in handling a wide range of cases related to pollution,
deforestation, and other environmental issues.

Expression of Gratitude

In concluding this report on my visit to the National Green Tribunal (NGT),Western Zone located at Camp,
Pune I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the entire NGT team for their warm welcome, invaluable
insights, and commitment to environmental justice. My visit was not only educational but also deeply
inspiring. The passion and dedication displayed by the judges, advocates, administrative staff, and all those
associated with the NGT left a lasting impression.

I would like to extend my special thanks to Respected Principal Shri. DR. Vishwanath Patil of Shri Shivaji
Maratha Society’s Law College. (S.S.M.S.L.C.), Respected Assistant Professor Anjali Gavali Ma’am and
Respected Assistant Professor Anand Bokefode Sir, for facilitating my visit and ensuring that I had the
opportunity to gain rsthand knowledge of the NGT's operations. Your guidance and willingness to share
information were instrumental in making this visit a success. A heartfelt thank you to the National Green
Tribunal and S.S.M.S.L.C for organising such an inspiring visit.

Student’s of Shri Shivaji Maratha Society’s Law College. exploring the

World of Environmental Justice at the National Green Tribunal- Pune,
along with Assistant Professor Anjali Gavali Ma’am and Assistant
Professor Anand Bokefode Sir.

Student’s of Shri Shivaji Maratha Society’s Law College

along with Respected Principal Shri. DR Vishwanath Patil.

a heartfelt thank you to the National

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 Green Tribunal for their warm hospitality and for illuminating our path

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