Inside a quiet attempt to hobble the National Green Tribunal

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Editor's note: In October 2010, India set up a dedicated environmental court with an ambitious mandate. Officially named the National Green Tribunal, or NGT, it was tasked with the responsibility to provide “speedy environmental justice” by adjudicating cases relating to environmental protection, conservation of forests and other natural resources, as well as providing relief and compensation to people adversely affected by industrial accidents. It started with four regional branches across the country and a principal bench in the national capital. This was a momentous decision—only two other countries in the world (Australia and New Zealand) had such a specialized environmental court at the time. More than a decade since, however, the NGT is at the receiving end of persistent attempts by the Narendra Modi government to restrict its powers and weaken its independence. Official documents reviewed by The Morning Context reveal previously unreported details about a largely overlooked, discreet attempt made by the central government to curb the wide legal mandate of the NGT, around the same time farmers’ protests and the election campaign for Bihar had grabbed wide public attention late …