India 2018

216 India 2018
Education Centre, Chennai; Centre for Ecological Sciences, Indian Institute of
Science, Bengaluru; Salim Ali Centre for Orhithology and History, Coimbatore;
Centre for Environment Management of Degraded Eco systems, Delhi; Madras
School of Economics, Chennai; and Foundation for Revitalization of Local Health
Traditions, Bengaluru.
National Green Tribunal
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) was set up in 2010 under the NGT Act,
2010, for the purpose of effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to
environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources
including enforcement of any legal right relating to environment and giving
relief and compensation for damages to persons and property and for matters
connected therewith or incidental thereto.
It is a specialized body equipped with the necessary expertise to handle
environmental disputes involving multi-disciplinary issues. The Tribunal shall
not be bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure,
1908, but shall be guided by principles of natural justice. The Tribunal is
mandated to make an endeavour for disposal of applications or appeals finally
within 6 months of filing.
NGT has five places of sitting, i.e, the Principal Bench in Delhi and Zonal
Benches in Pune, Kolkata, Bhopal and Chennai. Apart from this the Tribunal
holds three circuit Benches at Shimla, Shillong and Jodhpur.
Climate Change
The earth's climate has always changed and evolved. Some of these changes
have been due to natural causes but other can be attributed to human activities
such as deforestation, emissions from industry and transport etc. which have
led to accumulation of gases and aerosols in the atmosphere. These gases are
known as Greenhouse Gases (GHGs) because they trap heat and raise air
temperatures near the ground, acting like a greenhouse on the surface of the
planet. In order to create and strengthen the scientific and analytical capacity
for assessment of climate change in the country different studies under Climate
Change Action Programme (CCAP) were initiated. Many important bilateral
and multilateral meetings and negotiations including Conference of Parties (CoP-
22) were held.
National and State Action Plans on Climate Change
India's domestic strategy for addressing climate change is embedded in many
of its social and economic development programmes. The National Action Plan
on Climate Change (NAPCC) is being implemented through the nodal ministries
in specific sectors/ areas. Eight national missions in the area of solar energy,
enchanced energy efficiency, sustainable agriculture, sustainable habitat, water,
Himalayan eco-system, Green India and strategic knowledge for climate change
form the core of NAPCC.