National Green Tribunal (NGT)
Context: The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has stated that the Mediterranean Shipping Company (MSC) which owned the Liberia-flagged container vessel MSC Elsa 3 that sank off the Kochi coast on May 25, is expected to clarify on the contents of the hazardous cargo in 13 of the 640 containers.
Important Pointers:
Establishment: Set up in 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.
Purpose: Formed for expeditious disposal of cases related to environmental protection and conservation of natural resources.
Nature: A specialized body with expertise to handle complex environmental disputes involving multi-disciplinary issues.
Procedure: Not bound by Code of Civil Procedure, 1908; guided by principles of natural justice.
Timely Disposal: Mandated to dispose of cases within 6 months of filing.
Principal Bench: Located in New Delhi; other benches in Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata, and Chennai.
Composition: Includes a Chairperson (retired Supreme Court judge), Judicial Members (retired High Court judges), and Expert Members (minimum 15 years’ experience in relevant fields).
Jurisdiction: Hears civil cases related to environmental laws listed in Schedule I of the NGT Act.
Laws under NGT: Water Act (1974), Water Cess Act (1977), Forest Act (1980), Air Act (1981), Environment Act (1986), Public Liability Insurance Act (1991), and Biological Diversity Act (2002).
Excluded Laws: Cannot hear cases under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and Forest Rights Act, 2006.