The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Bill was passed in Lok Sabha on May 3, 2010 after Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh accepted some key amendments were suggested in Parliament.

The Bill provides for the setting up of specialized environment courts. They are given the powers to hear original cases as well as appeals on cases from authorities under various environmental laws.
The Bill, once passed, will replace the existing  Environment Appellate Authority.

The Bill had earlier been stalled as both the Left and BJP had raised objections to certain provisions.

A key change incorporated in the Bill is to create benches of the tribunal on a circuit basis, which would make them mobile and allow the green benches to hear cases at places beyond their original location but within their jurisdiction. The amendment will make it easier for people living in far-flung areas to easily approach the bench.

The criteria for who can file a case before the tribunal have also been amended. Earlier, the bill allowed any representative body or organisation functioning in the field of environment to file a case. This has now been amended and `any person aggrieved, including any representative body organisation', would be allowed to file an application for the grant of relief or compensation and settlement of disputes.

The government has also decided to allow appeals against the tribunal to be heard by the Supreme Court. This was not permitted in the earlier Bill and had raised concerns at several levels.