UPSC Prelims 2018 Question:

How is the National Green Tribunal (NGT) different from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB)?

1. The NGT has been established by an Act whereas the CPCB has been created by an executive order of the Government.
2. The NGT provides environmental justice and helps reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts whereas the CPCB promotes cleanliness of streams and wells, and aims to improve the quality of air in the country.
   
   

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Explanation:

• The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has been established in 2010 under the ‘National Green Tribunal Act, 2010’ for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests.
  
  
•  The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), a statutory organisation, was constituted in September 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. Further, CPCB was entrusted with the powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981. So, statement 1 is not correct.
  
  
• The NGT’s dedicated jurisdiction in environmental matters shall provide speedy environmental justice and help reduce the burden of litigation in the higher courts.
  
  
•  Principal Functions of the CPCB, as spelt out in the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974, and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, (i) to promote cleanliness of streams and wells in different areas of the States by prevention, control and abatement of water pollution, and (ii) to improve the quality of air and to prevent, control or abate air pollution in the country. So, statement 2 is correct.
  
  

Therefore, option (2) is the correct answer.

Subject: Environment | Environmental Organisations and Conventions