In a strategic move to strengthen India’s environmental justice system, the Government of India has appointed two Judicial Members and four Expert Members to the National Green Tribunal (NGT). These appointments, recommended by the Selection Committee, are aimed at enhancing the tribunal’s efficiency in resolving complex ecological disputes.
Each appointee will serve a term of four years or until reaching the age of 67, whichever is earlier. Their inclusion is expected to accelerate the disposal of pending cases and infuse the tribunal with a strong blend of legal and technical expertise.
Judicial Members Appointed
- Justice Sudhir Kumar Jain
Former Delhi High Court Judge and currently a Member of the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC). Known for his sharp legal insight, Justice Jain brings extensive experience in civil and consumer jurisprudence. - Justice Umesh Chandra Sharma
A former Judge of the Allahabad High Court, he currently serves as a Judicial Member at the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) in Chandigarh. His deep knowledge of civil and administrative law will benefit NGT’s legal bench.
Expert Members Appointed
- Sudhir Kumar Chaturvedi (Retd. IFoS: 1986: Gujarat)
Former Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF & HoFF) in Gujarat, Chaturvedi retired in December 2024. With over four decades in forestry and biodiversity conservation, his ecological expertise will be vital to NGT rulings. - Ishwar Singh (Retd. IFoS: 1988: AGMUT)
Former PCCF, Delhi, Singh retired in May 2022. He is well-known for his work in urban afforestation and environmental protection policies, especially within metropolitan ecosystems. - Dr. Sujit Kumar Bajpayee
Former Member of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and ex-Joint Secretary in the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). Dr. Bajpayee offers deep knowledge in air quality governance and environmental policymaking. - Prashant Gargava
Retired Scientist ‘F’ and Director under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) at MoEFCC. A former Member-Secretary of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Gargava’s technical proficiency in pollution control will contribute significantly to the tribunal’s scientific assessments.
These appointments reflect the government’s commitment to reinforcing environmental governance through judicial and domain-specific expertise. With a stronger bench, the NGT is now better positioned to handle India’s pressing environmental challenges.