The National Green Tribunal exercises original and appellate jurisdiction over environmental disputes, can impose substantial compensation and can stay clearances and consents pending final hearing. The 30-day appeal window is strict.
The National Green Tribunal is not a passive appellate body. It actively suo motu takes up environmental issues, imposes substantial compensation for environmental damage, and exercises interim jurisdiction to stay clearances and consents that it finds prima facie deficient. Its orders are binding, enforceable and appealable only to the Supreme Court under Section 22 — there is no intermediate appellate forum.
For industries and project proponents, NGT proceedings are high-stakes. A stay of an environmental clearance can halt a project mid-construction. A compensation order can run to crores. And the 30-day limitation for appeals under Section 16 is strict, with only a 60-day condonation window. AMLEGALS approaches NGT proceedings with the urgency and preparation that the tribunal’s interventionist approach demands.
Filing and arguing applications raising substantial questions relating to the environment, including environmental-damage claims and enforcement of environmental rights.
Filing appeals against orders under the Water Act, Air Act, EP Act and other scheduled enactments within the 30-day limitation period.
Obtaining interim orders and stay of clearances, consents or directions pending final hearing.
Defending against compensation claims under Sections 15 and 17 with expert evidence on causation, quantum and remediation.
Enforcing or defending execution of NGT orders and directions, including compliance monitoring.
Filing appeals under Section 22 to the Supreme Court against NGT orders within 90 days.
Under Section 14 of the National Green Tribunal Act 2010, the NGT has original jurisdiction over civil cases involving a substantial question relating to the environment, including enforcement of legal rights relating to the environment and compensation for environmental damage. Under Section 16, it has appellate jurisdiction against orders passed under the Water Act 1974, Air Act 1981, Environment (Protection) Act 1986, Public Liability Insurance Act 1991 and the Biological Diversity Act 2002.
An application under Section 14 must be filed within six months of the cause of action first arising. An appeal under Section 16 must be filed within 30 days of communication of the order appealed against. The NGT may condone delay of up to 60 days in both cases if sufficient cause is shown. Beyond 60 days, the application or appeal is time-barred.
Yes. Section 15 empowers the NGT to provide relief and compensation to victims of pollution and other environmental damage, including restitution of property and environment. Section 17 enables the NGT to impose environmental compensation for damage arising to the environment, as determined by expert assessment. The compensation may be substantial — the NGT has imposed crores in environmental compensation in industrial-pollution and waste-management cases.
Yes. Under Section 22 of the NGT Act, any person aggrieved by a decision or order of the NGT may file an appeal to the Supreme Court within 90 days. The appeal lies directly to the Supreme Court — there is no intermediate appellate forum. The Supreme Court has entertained NGT appeals on both questions of law and mixed questions of law and fact.
Yes. The NGT routinely exercises interim jurisdiction to stay the operation of environmental clearances, forest clearances and pollution-control consents pending final hearing. The stay is governed by the principles of prima facie case, balance of convenience and irreparable injury. In several cases, the NGT has stayed clearances granted by the MoEFCC or SEIAA where procedural violations are established prima facie.
No. No engagement is treated as accepted until conflicts, scope and terms are confirmed in writing.
Share the NGT proceeding details or the order under challenge for a confidential assessment.