National Green Tribunal to be set up: Ramesh

A National Green Tribunal that would have special courts to try cases related to environment and forest, would be set up once Parliament gives its nod, Union Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh said today.

"The discussion of setting up National Green Tribunal has already begun in Parliament and once both the Houses gives approvals, specialised courts for trying cases under environment and forest laws will be set up in the country," Ramesh told reporters after the seventh convocation of the Indian Institute of Forest Management (IIFM).

"It will be like circuit-bench of the courts and four such benches in different regions of the country including Bhopal will be set up," he said.

The Minister expressed hope that it will become operational by the end of this year.

Referring to the formation of National Environment Protection Agency (NEPA), he said he will present a Bill for the same in Parliament in August and this will take care of implementation of laws related to environment.

He clarified that after NEPA comes into existence, the Central and State Pollution Control Boards will focus on testing aspects while monitoring of environmental laws, licencing and administrative part would come under the purview of NEPA.