What are the objectives of National Green Tribunal? Give a brief overview of the different laws in legal jurisdiction of NGT Act.

The National Green Tribunal is a statutory body. It was established in 2010 by the National Green Tribunal Act. The Principal Bench of the NGT has been established in the National Capital � New Delhi, with regional benches in Pune, Bhopal, Chennai and Kolkata. The Chairperson of the NGT is a retired Judge of the Supreme Court other judicial members are retired Judges of High Courts.
Objectives of NGT

• To provide a specialized forum for effective and speedy disposal of cases pertaining to environment protection,
• Conservation of forests and for seeking compensation for damages caused to people or property due to violation of environmental laws

Legal jurisdiction of NGT
The NGT has the power to hear all civil cases relating to environmental issues and questions that are linked to the implementation of laws listed in Schedule I of the NGT Act. These include the following:

• The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
• 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 NGT has not been vested with powers to hear any matter relating to the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and various laws enacted by States relating to forests, tree preservation etc
• The NGT is not bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but shall be guided by principles of natural justice

India is the third country in the world after Australia and New Zealand to set up such a body to deal with environmental cases.

Topics: GS-II: Constitutional Statutory Regulatory and Quasi Judicial Bodies