Judicial Canopy: Defining “Forest” in India: Guide to the Article
by Dr Sairam Bhat* and Jaibatruka Mohanta**
National Green Tribunal
Petrol Pump NOC Case | Supreme Court imposes Rs 50,000 cost for non-disclosure of parallel proceedings before NGT and High Court
“Access to justice is inextricably connected to maintaining integrity in the process of invocation and conduct of remedial proceedings before Courts and Tribunals.”
“If guilty, basis must be disclosed; if not, litigation is futile”; MP High Court directs NGT to decide culpability before fastening liability in fire incident
The Court emphasised the need for fairness and cautioned against causing prejudice by delaying a determination of culpability and liability in fire incident.
NGT directs Delhi Wetland Authority to trace and restore vanished waterbodies
“Disclose the area with geo-coordinates of each of the water bodies under their management and control as per the revenue record.”
Felling of 700 trees in Bhoj Wetland, a Ramsar site; NGT forms panel, orders Statewide Tree Census
“Geo tagging of all trees to be made mandatory so that accurate records of their location, type and number can be maintained. Geo tag data should be published and be made available and reported to the office of Chief Conservator of Forest.”
‘No Religious faiths provide shield to illegal activities’; NGT issues notice to Punjab officials for allowing illegal religious construction on Greenbelt land
“Construction of a religious structure is the most usual mode adopted by the land mafia for grabbing public lands/public parks by making illegal encroachments and unauthorized constructions with ulterior motives by misusing faith, playing with sentiments… for serving camouflaged personal objectives.”
Neglect and encroachment of historical water body in Narela: NGT issues notice to authorities
The NGT acknowledged that “the OA raises substantial issue relating to compliance of environmental norms.”
Only valid and subsisting DSR can form basis for environmental clearance; draft DSR legally untenable: Supreme Court upholds NGT order
“The illicit sand trade often operates under the shadow of organised crime, undermining the rule of law and weakening governance structures. Therefore, absolute standards with tough policies, strict enforcement and quick accountability are compelling for effective regulatory control.”
Matheran Horse Dung Pollution Case | NGT lists matter for next year as it awaits final report by Babasaheb Ambedkar Technological University
The applicants filed an application contending that Matheran hill station and an Eco-Sensitive Zone was facing serious environmental degradation due to the excessive use of horses for tourism and goods transportation.
‘Necessary permissions were taken’; NGT dismisses plea against illegal tree cutting in Adani’s Chhattisgarh Coal mining project
National Green Tribunal directed for necessary plantation to maintain the ecology in the area.
Supreme Court sets aside NGT’s order curbing Auroville township expansion due to environmental harm
“There is a need for “Sustainable Development” harmonising and striking a golden balance between the right to development and the right to clean environment”.
NGT takes cognizance of plea on Guillain-Barré Syndrome Outbreak in Pune due to contaminated drinking water
The NGT acknowledged that the matter raises serious environmental and public health concerns.
‘Pilgrims should not suffer’; NGT gives slew of directions to UPPCB and CPCB to maintain Ganga and Yamuna’s water quality ahead of Magh Mela & Kumbh Mela 2025
“During the Maha Kumbh 2025, regular monitoring of the water quality of the rivers Ganga and Yamuna is necessary at frequent intervals to meet primary water quality criteria.”
MP High Court directs NGT to scrutinise compensation claims in Firecracker Factory Explosion case
When the NGT passed the impugned order, the injured persons were not identified, nature of injuries was not determined and damage to houses and displacement of persons was also not identified or determined.
NGT halts all ongoing illegal constructions without mandatory environmental clearances in Noida and Greater Noida
Pollution Control Board to prevent illegal plotting in the area falling in floodplain zones in the Villages.
In Conversation with Advocate-on-Record Arunava Mukherjee: Perspectives on Justice and Jurisprudence
Interviewed by Anish Mishra
Tap the untapped drains having gradient towards Adi Ganga River and releasing pollutants: NGT
Reportedly, the Adi Ganga River had dried up due to extreme heat resulting in 50-60 % of the river becoming waterless, and several dead fish emanating a foul smell. It was alleged that the death of the fish was due to chemical pollution emanating from Sonar Mandi where silver is refined with acid chemicals.
NGT issues directives on remedial action in Shopian Jaundice outbreak due to Contaminated Water
The NGT found deficiencies in the response and reports from authorities, notably the absence of virological testing facilities in local labs, inadequate clarity on the water source, and inconsistent water quality across reports.
NGT orders District Magistrate, Gonda to demarcate floodplain zone of River Tedhi; halts further construction
The NGT directed that no construction activities to be permitted within 200 meters of the High Flood Level from the centre of River Tedhi until further orders.