Chennai: After lying vacant for more than a year, the post of the second expert member in the Southern Bench of the National Green Tribunal was filled on Monday, thus paving way for the fast disposal of cases.
Dr Nagin Nanda, a 1985 batch Indian Forest Service officer of Himachal cadre, was appointed as a second expert member at the tribunal, functioning with one expert member, after professor Nagendran resigned from the post, a year ago.
The existing member, P.S Rao was in-charge of both the courts - 1 and 2, assisting the judicial members - P. Jyothimani and M. Sasidharan Nambiar.
"The tribunal was functional in shift basis. While court -1 was operational in the morning, court - 2 worked in the afternoon. The appointment of a new expert member will help both the benches to work full day. It will help in the fast clearance of the cases," said an advocate.
Nagin Nanda is a Himachal Pradesh cadre IFS officer and incumbent principal conservator, who served as additional chief conservator of forests in Shimla. Under the provisions of the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010, an expert member should have administrative experience of 15 years, including a five-year experience in dealing with environmental issues in central or state government or in a reputed national or state level institution.
"The tribunal is considered a scientific forum, unlike a court. Since it is in environmental jurisdiction, whoever has knowledge in the field will be a better assistance to judicial member," added the advocate.
