#Suo Motu Jurisdiction

The National Green Tribunal invoked suo motu jurisdiction to order an inquiry into the illegal felling of thousands of trees in the Ratapani Tiger Reserve, including teak and saag. State agencies, including the Revenue Department and Forest authorities, have been directed to submit replies within six weeks, with impleadment of key officials mandated.

NGT invokes suo motu powers to halt illegal hill-cutting in Himachal Pradesh after a citizen's complaint, ordering joint inspections by forest, mining, and pollution control authorities. The ruling mandates production of environmental clearances and imposes a stop-work order until legality is verified, setting a precedent for public grievances in environmental violations.

NGT clarifies that its suo motu powers do not extend to bypassing territorial jurisdiction rules. The Tribunal must transfer cases to the appropriate zonal bench where the environmental violation occurred, ensuring compliance with procedural fairness and jurisdictional boundaries.

Bombay High Court treats media reports on tiger attacks in Pench Tiger Reserve as grounds for suo motu PIL, affirming judicial power to act on public interest concerns.

National Green Tribunal clarifies that letter petitions on environmental grievances may be transferred to the appropriate zone bench, reinforcing procedural fairness under NGT Act.

NGT takes suo motu cognizance of illegal sand mining in Chhattisgarh's Kharun river, directing joint committee probe and strict enforcement of environmental norms.