NGT, CPCB & Environment Bodies
Forest & Wildlife · NGT, CPCB और पर्यावरण निकाय
📋Quick Overview
India's environmental governance is managed by a multi-layered system: MoEFCC (Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change) at the top, National Green Tribunal (NGT 2010) for legal adjudication, CPCB for pollution control, SPCBs at state level, and EIA notification 2006 for project clearances. The Environment Protection Act 1986 (EPA) is the umbrella legislation enacted after the Bhopal gas tragedy. EIA ensures environmental impact assessment before major industrial and infrastructure projects.
NGT Key Facts: Established under NGT Act 2010; Principal Bench at New Delhi; 4 zone benches (Pune-West, Bhopal-Central, Chennai-South, Kolkata-East); handles cases under 7 environmental laws including Water Act, Air Act, EPA, Forest Conservation Act, Biodiversity Act. Cases must be filed within 6 months. Original jurisdiction: Any person can file directly without prior court proceedings.
📖Key Environmental Bodies — Comparison
| Body | Established | Location/HQ | Key Function |
|---|---|---|---|
| MoEFCC | 1985 (as Ministry of Environment) | New Delhi | Apex ministry; policy, environment + forest + climate + wildlife; issues Environmental Clearances (EC) |
| NGT (National Green Tribunal) | 2010 (NGT Act 2010) | New Delhi (Principal Bench) | Adjudicate environmental disputes; enforce environmental laws; fast-track justice |
| CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board) | 1974 (Water Prevention Act) | Delhi | Monitor/control water and air pollution; issue guidelines; coordinate with SPCBs; national standards |
| SPCBs (State Pollution Control Boards) | Under Water Act 1974 | State capitals | Enforce pollution norms at state level; issue Consent to Establish/Operate to industries |
| FSI (Forest Survey of India) | 1981 | Dehradun | Biennial State of Forest Report (SFR); satellite-based forest cover mapping; publishes India State of Forest Report |
| WII (Wildlife Institute of India) | 1982 | Dehradun | Wildlife research + training; conducts tiger/elephant censuses; under MoEFCC |
📖Key Environmental Laws & Processes
- •EPA 1986 (Environment Protection Act): Umbrella legislation; enacted post-Bhopal gas tragedy 1984; gives central govt power to set standards, regulate hazardous substances, inspect, direct closure of polluting units; 'environment' broadly defined to include land/water/air
- •Water Act 1974: First major environment law; prevents/controls water pollution; established CPCB and SPCBs; consent mechanism for industrial discharge
- •Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1981: Prevents air pollution; CPCB/SPCBs empowered; NAAQS (National Ambient Air Quality Standards) prescribed; motor vehicles covered
- •EIA Notification 2006: Environmental Impact Assessment; Category A (national level MoEFCC) and Category B (state level SEIAA); EAC (Expert Appraisal Committee) assesses projects; public consultation mandatory for most projects
- •Green Bench: Specialized benches in High Courts to handle environmental cases; pre-dates NGT; now co-exist with NGT; state-level fast track for environmental matters
- •ENVIS (Environment Information System): Network of resource partners under MoEFCC; set up 1983; dissemination of environmental data; 78+ ENVIS centres across India on specific themes (wetlands, biodiversity, pollution, etc.)
📖NGT — Structure & Jurisdiction in Detail
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Established | October 18, 2010 under NGT Act 2010 |
| Principal Bench | New Delhi |
| Zone Benches | 4 — Pune (West), Bhopal (Central), Chennai (South), Kolkata (East) |
| Composition | Chairperson (former Supreme Court judge) + Judicial Members + Expert Members |
| Jurisdiction | Original (direct petition) + Appellate (against MoEFCC orders) |
| Laws Covered | 7 laws including Water Act, Air Act, EPA 1986, Forest Conservation Act, Biodiversity Act, Public Liability Insurance Act, Env. Protection Act |
| Time Limit | Application within 6 months of cause of action; orders by NGT within 6 months of filing |
| Appeal | To Supreme Court of India within 90 days of NGT order |