Environmental degradation has emerged as one of the most pressing challenges facing contemporary
societies. In India, rapid industrialization, urbanization, and developmental activities have intensified
environmental concerns such as pollution, deforestation, biodiversity loss, and climate-related risks.
These challenges often disproportionately affect vulnerable communities, raising concerns of
environmental justice. To address complex environmental disputes effectively, Parliament enacted
the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, establishing the National Green Tribunal (NGT) as a
specialized adjudicatory body. The Tribunal was designed to provide expeditious environmental
justice by combining judicial expertise with scientific and technical knowledge. Since its
establishment, the NGT has played a significant role in developing environmental jurisprudence
through the application of principles such as sustainable development, the precautionary principle,
and the polluter pays principle. This article examines the role of the NGT in advancing environmental
justice in India, evaluates its achievements and limitations, and assesses its effectiveness as a
specialized environmental adjudicatory institution.
Authors
SV
Sinsha Viswanathan
References
34 references
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