Justice Prakash Shrivastava appointed as NGT chairperson

Justice Prakash Shrivastava has been appointed as Chairperson of National Green Tribunal (NGT). After the former Chairperson Justice A.K Goel retired. After the former Chairperson Justice A.K Goel retired in July, Justice Sheo Kumar Singh was appointed as the Acting Chairperson. Justice Srivastav Enrolled as Advocate on February 2, 1987. He Practised on Tax, Civil and Constitutional sides in the Supreme Court of India at New Delhi. He was later appointed as a Judge of the High Court of Madhya Pradesh on January 18, 2008 and became a permanent Judge on January 15, 2010.

Life and Career of Prakash Shrivastava

Justice Shrivastava was born on March 31, 1961.In the year 1987, he was enrolled as an advocate and practiced in tax, civil, and constitutional law, at the Supreme Court. Later, he was appointed as an additional judge at the Madhya Pradesh High Court on January 18, 2008 before being made permanent on January 15, 2010. Subsequently, Justice Shrivastava served as the Chief Justice of Calcutta High Court from October 11, 2021 till his retirement on March 30, 2023.

About the NGT

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) is a specialized body set up by the Government of India under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 to provide speedy and effective justice to cases related to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources. It is a quasi-judicial body with powers to hear and decide cases relating to environmental pollution, environmental degradation, and other matters affecting the environment.

The NGT has its headquarters in New Delhi and has five zonal benches located at Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata, Chennai, and Guwahati. The Tribunal is headed by a Chairperson who is a retired judge of the Supreme Court or the High Court. The other members of the Tribunal are also qualified legal professionals.

The NGT has the power to:

• hear and decide cases relating to environmental pollution, environmental degradation, and other matters affecting the environment;
• issue directions, orders, or decrees for the protection of the environment;
• award compensation for damages caused to the environment;
• take suo motu action on matters relating to environmental protection; and
• perform such other functions as may be prescribed.