Green Mediation- A Way Forward for Resolving Environmental Disputes

Abstract

In the past few decades, India has witnessed a sudden growth in environmental dispute litigations with the increase in industrialization and urbanization. There has been increasing tension between the ecology (environment) and the economy (development) of the country. For addressing and entertaining the disputes arising out of environmental issues, in India, three judicial bodies have been set up, namely: NGT (National Green Tribunal), the High Court, and the Supreme Court. However, there has been a massive bundle of files of environmental litigation pending before the Courts for the past long years causing delay and compromising the quality of justice to be served, the reason being the lack of adequate infrastructure and overburdened Courts. Over and above, what makes the matter worse is the disproportionate role of judges in adjudicating disputes and citizens in making the law work. Hence, this paper aims to explore the possible solutions for the said problem by applying other alternative dispute redressal mechanisms.