Topic- Conservation, environmental degradation
5) The NGT off late has been slackening in its responsibility of safeguarding the environment. Critically Examine in light of some of the recent decisions of NGT. (250 words)
Why this question
NGT has played a pivotal role in safeguarding against environmental degradation in India. The article highlights the issue of NGT’s less than desirable performance in recent times when it has bend under external pressures. The question expects us to do a critical analysis of the performance of NGT.
Key demand of the question
The question expects us to answer the following points in our answer
- Brief overview of the role of NGT
- Explain the reasons why NGT’s role is under the scanner in light of some of the recent decisions that it made
- Bring out the good and bad of NGT’s performance over the years
- Give your view on role of NGT and what course correction is required
Directive word
Critically examine – When you are asked to examine, you have to probe deeper into the topic, get into details, and find out the causes or implications if any . When ‘critically’ is suffixed or prefixed to a directive, all you need to do is look at the good and bad of something and give a fair judgement.
Structure of the answer
Introduction – Explain briefly the role of NGT in safeguarding the interest of environment and mention that NGT has been slackening in that role as seen through some of its recent decisions.
Body
- Discuss the approach of NGT in dealing with the cases off late that has led to criticism- evolved four approaches to deal with litigations. First, dispose of existing cases. Second, form committees, comprising mostly people who were responsible for the problem, and outsource even adjudicatory functions. Third, refuse to entertain matters on the ground that the government has approved the project or other hyper-technical grounds. And finally, rehear cases which were earlier reserved for judgment.
- Discuss the wider debate of environmental protection vs development and NGT has been siding with the latter off late
- Discuss the other criticisms of NGT’s functioning.
- Also, bring out how NGT has played a pivotal role in protecting the environment through speedy disposal, deterrence etc
Conclusion – Give your view on the role of NGT and discuss way forward.
