Parliamentary panel asks NGT to act proactively on environmental concerns

A parliamentary standing committee has urged the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to exercise its suo motu powers more proactively on critical environmental issues, including illegal sand mining, highway tree-felling, and air pollution in Delhi and the Indo-Gangetic plain.

The committee, in its report on the 'Review of Functioning of Tribunal System in the Country', also recommended stronger follow-up mechanisms to ensure the tribunal's orders are implemented promptly.

Presented in both Houses of Parliament earlier this month, the report highlights the need for the NGT to take cognizance of cases without waiting for petitions to be filed, particularly in areas of grave environmental concern.

Among the issues cited are severe air pollution in the national capital and the broader Indo-Gangetic plain, illegal sand mining along riverbanks, pollution in rivers, loss of indigenous roadside plantations during highway construction, unregulated high-rise construction in metropolitan areas, ecological risks in northeastern states, and mining in environmentally sensitive zones.

The committee suggested that compliance with the tribunal's orders be monitored more closely by the authorities concerned. It recommended regular action-taken reports, effective use of joint committees, and clear fixing of responsibility to ensure timely implementation.

The NGT was established in 2010 as a specialised body for the expeditious disposal of cases related to environmental protection, conservation of forests, and natural resources. Its flexible procedures allow it to handle complex environmental issues efficiently, reducing the burden on higher courts and improving access to justice.

The committee acknowledged the tribunal's significant role in ensuring timely environmental justice, simplifying processes, and using technology for time-bound resolution of cases. However, it stressed that the NGT must be more assertive in addressing critical environmental challenges facing the country.

This push for proactive action comes amid growing concerns over environmental degradation and the slow pace of enforcement of green laws. The committee's recommendations aim to strengthen the tribunal's effectiveness and ensure that environmental justice is not delayed or denied.

Observers note that the NGT's suo motu jurisdiction is a powerful tool that can address environmental harm even in the absence of formal complaints. The parliamentary panel's call for its proactive use reflects a broader expectation that the tribunal will act as a guardian of the environment, not merely as a passive adjudicator.

The report is now expected to go to the respective ministries for their response. The government and the NGT are likely to consider the recommendations, which could lead to policy changes in how environmental cases are monitored and implemented.