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?

The correct answer is 2 only.

Explanation:

Let us analyze both statements to evaluate their correctness:

Statement 1 is incorrect:
Both the National Green Tribunal (NGT) and the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) are statutory bodies created by Acts of Parliament, not by executive orders.
• The NGT was established in 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010.
• The CPCB was established in 1974 under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974. It was later also entrusted with powers and functions under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.

Statement 2 is correct:
• The NGT handles environmental disputes involving multi-disciplinary issues and provides speedy environmental justice, thereby significantly reducing the burden of litigation in higher courts (High Courts and the Supreme Court).
• The primary mandates of the CPCB include promoting cleanliness of streams and wells in different areas of the States by prevention, control, and abatement of water pollution, and improving the quality of air across the country.

Therefore, only statement 2 is correct.