NGT, CPCB & Environment Bodies
Forest & Wildlife · NGT, CPCB और पर्यावरण निकाय · 18 facts
NGT (National Green Tribunal): Established under NGT Act 2010; specialized court for environmental disputes; derives power from Article 21 (right to clean environment).
NGT structure: Principal Bench in New Delhi; 4 zonal benches (Kolkata, Chennai, Pune, Bhopal); Chairman is retired Supreme Court judge.
NGT handles: Disputes related to environmental protection, forest conservation, biodiversity, water/air pollution; can award compensation; suo motu powers.
CPCB (Central Pollution Control Board): Established 1974 under Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act 1974; HQ New Delhi; regulates and monitors pollution.
SPCB (State Pollution Control Board): Each state has its own PCB; implements pollution control norms at state level; monitors factories, industries.
MoEFCC (Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change): Apex ministry for environment, forests, biodiversity; administers EPA, WPA, FCA; coordinates India's climate policy.
EIA (Environmental Impact Assessment): Process to assess environmental consequences of proposed projects; MoEFCC issues clearances; EIA Notification 2006 governs the process.
NEERI (National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, Nagpur): CSIR laboratory; research in environmental engineering, water quality, air quality, hazardous waste.
WCCB (Wildlife Crime Control Bureau): Established 2007 under MoEFCC; investigates wildlife crimes; has regional offices; coordinates with CBI, police, customs.
TRAFFIC (Trade Records Analysis of Fauna and Flora in Commerce): Wildlife trade monitoring network; works with IUCN and WWF; India office in Delhi.
EPA (Environment Protection Act 1986): Enacted after Bhopal Gas Tragedy; umbrella legislation; gives Central Government power to regulate environmental standards.
National Green Tribunal vs High Courts: NGT has specialized environmental expertise; faster disposal; however, its orders can be appealed in Supreme Court.
NITI Aayog's role in environment: Coordinates Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) tracking; publishes SDG India Index measuring environmental progress.
CAMPA Authority: Central body for compensatory afforestation; chaired by MoEFCC minister; manages Rs 66,000 crore to restore deforested areas.
Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE): Apex research institute for forestry; HQ Dehradun; 8 research institutes across India.
ISRO's role in forest monitoring: Bhuvan geoportal, Resourcesat satellites used for forest cover assessment; ISFR (India State of Forest Report) uses satellite data.
WWF India (World Wide Fund for Nature): International NGO with India office; works on tiger conservation, wetlands, climate change; partners with government.
AQI (Air Quality Index): 0-50 Good, 51-100 Satisfactory, 101-200 Moderate, 201-300 Poor, 301-400 Very Poor, 401-500 Severe; CPCB monitors and publishes.