National Green Tribunal — Landmark Judgments
Landmark Judgments
Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum v. Union of India
1996Though decided before NGT's establishment, this Supreme Court case laid the foundation for environmental tribunals by establishing the polluter pays principle and precautionary…
MC Mehta v. Union of India (Vehicular Pollution Case)
1998-2018Series of cases that established the Supreme Court's environmental jurisdiction and highlighted the need for specialized environmental courts. The NGT later took over many similar…
Sterlite Industries v. Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board
2013One of the early major cases decided by NGT involving industrial pollution and closure of copper smelting plant. Demonstrated NGT's approach to balancing industrial development…
Manoj Misra v. Union of India (Yamuna Floodplains Case)
2015Landmark NGT judgment on protection of river floodplains and urban environmental planning. The Tribunal prohibited construction activities in Yamuna floodplains and emphasized the…
Vardhaman Kaushik v. Union of India (Delhi Air Pollution Case)
2016-2019Comprehensive NGT orders addressing Delhi's air pollution crisis through multiple interventions including odd-even scheme evaluation, construction activity regulation, and…
News Item Published in 'The Hindu' titled 'Ganga Water Unfit' v. Union of India
2017NGT took suo moto cognizance of Ganga pollution and issued comprehensive directions for river cleaning. The case demonstrated NGT's proactive approach and its power to initiate…
Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti v. Union of India (Coal Mining Case)
2014NGT's decision on coal mining in forest areas and environmental clearance violations. The case established important precedents regarding forest clearance procedures and…
Almitra H. Patel v. Union of India (Solid Waste Management Case)
2015-2018NGT's comprehensive orders on solid waste management in cities, particularly focusing on landfill management, waste segregation, and municipal responsibilities. The case led to…