In Brief
The Supreme Court held that the National Green Tribunal possesses suo motu jurisdiction to initiate environmental proceedings on its own motion. The NGT, created as a specialized, multifunctional body to handle environmental matters, is not confined to a passive adjudicatory role. Reading the NGT Act purposively in light of its preamble and legislative history—rooted in constitutional protection of Article 21 and international environmental commitments—the Court concluded that the NGT can and must act proactively to address environmental exigencies affecting public health and ecological preservation, subject to principles of natural justice and appellability. This empowers the NGT to prevent environmental harm, not merely settle existing disputes.
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