Environmental Courts and Tribunals: A Comparative Analysis of Australia’s LEC and India’s NGT

Abstract

This chapter provides a critical comparative analysis of Australia’s Land and Environment Court (LEC) and India’s National Green Tribunal (NGT) with reference to their historical background, relevant statutory provisions, and functioning of LEC in New South Wales and NGT in India. It suggests that though to begin with both of these adjudicatory bodies in environmental issues have faced challenges, the LECs in Australia have now achieved a high standard for environmental adjudication. On the other hand, NGT in India is comparatively new and will take its time to establish its impact on environmental issues. For ensuring the success of NGT in India, the chapter argues for support to it from the various stakeholders in particular of the Ministry of Environment and Forests and Climate Change for removing the hurdles in its effective and efficient working among others through infrastructural and competent staff capable of handling effectively the multiple issues that are brought before it.