Supreme Court explained: this guide covers what it means, who it applies to, the step-by-step process, documents required, fees, due dates and penalties in India — so you can stay compliant with confidence and avoid costly mistakes.
Sections 22 to 25 cover what happens after the National Green Tribunal decides. Section 22 gives an appeal to the Supreme Court within ninety days. Section 23 deals with costs, including costs for false or vexatious claims. Section 24 sends compensation for environmental damage to the Environment Relief Fund. Section 25 makes the Tribunal's orders executable as decrees and recoverable as arrears of land revenue.
This article is current as amended up to the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021. Sections 22 to 25 were not changed by that Act. Later amendments and notifications should be checked. If you have received an order of the Tribunal, our legal dispute resolution team can help.
A person aggrieved by any award, decision or order of the Tribunal may appeal to the Supreme Court within ninety days of its communication, on one or more of the grounds in section 100 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, with a proviso for late appeals on sufficient cause (section 22). The Tribunal may order costs, including against a false or vexatious claim (section 23). Compensation for environmental damage is remitted for credit to the Environment Relief Fund (section 24). Orders are executable as a decree; unpaid amounts are recoverable as arrears of land revenue (section 25).
Section 22: appeal to the Supreme Court
"Any person aggrieved by any award, decision or order of the Tribunal, may, file an appeal to the Supreme Court, within ninety days from the date of communication of the award, decision or order of the Tribunal, to him, on any one or more of the grounds specified in section 100 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908."
The proviso. The Supreme Court "may entertain any appeal after the expiry of ninety days, if it is satisfied that the appellant was prevented by sufficient cause from preferring the appeal".
Three points. The appeal lies from "any award, decision or order" of the Tribunal. The period runs from the date of communication to the appellant. And the grounds are those specified in section 100 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, which is named as printed and not explained here. The Act prints no outer limit on a late appeal.
Section 23: costs
Section 23(1). While disposing of an application or an appeal, the Tribunal "shall have power to make such order as to costs, as it may consider necessary".
Section 23(2). "Where the Tribunal holds that a claim is not maintainable, or is false or vexatious, and such claim is disallowed, in whole or in part, the Tribunal may, if it so thinks fit, after recording its reasons for holding such claim to be false or vexatious, make an order to award costs, including lost benefits due to any interim injunction."
The second sub-section matters to industry. If an interim injunction was obtained on a claim later held false or vexatious, the costs can include lost benefits caused by the injunction. The Tribunal must record its reasons for holding the claim false or vexatious.
Section 24: deposit of amounts for damage to environment
Section 24(1). Where any amount of compensation or relief is ordered to be paid under any award or order of the Tribunal "on the ground of any damage to environment, that amount shall be remitted to the authority specified under sub-section (3) of section 7A of the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991, for being credited to the Environmental Relief Fund established under that section".
Section 24(2). The amount credited "may, notwithstanding anything contained in the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991, be utilised by such persons or authority, in such manner and for such purposes relating to environment, as may be prescribed".
Compensation for damage to the environment, as distinct from compensation to a victim, therefore goes to the Fund and is used for environmental purposes as prescribed. The Fund is explained in sections 7A and 8 of the PLI Act. It is separate from the Environmental Protection Fund under the Environment (Protection) Act.
Section 25: execution
Section 25(1). An award, order or decision of the Tribunal "shall be executable by the Tribunal as a decree of a civil court, and for this purpose, the Tribunal shall have all the powers of a civil court".
Section 25(2). The Tribunal may transmit any order or award to a civil court having local jurisdiction, which "shall execute the order or award as if it were a decree made by that court".
Section 25(3). Where the person responsible against whom an award or order is made "fails to make the payment or deposit the amount as directed by the Tribunal within the period so specified", the amount, "without prejudice to the filing of complaint for prosecution for an offence under this Act or any other law for the time being in force, shall be recoverable from the aforesaid person as arrears of land revenue or of public demand".
After a Tribunal order: the options
| Step | Provision | Period as printed |
|---|---|---|
| Appeal to the Supreme Court | Section 22 | Ninety days from communication; late appeal on sufficient cause |
| Costs against a false or vexatious claim | Section 23(2) | Tribunal's reasons recorded |
| Environmental damage compensation | Section 24 | Remitted for credit to the Relief Fund |
| Execution by the Tribunal as a decree | Section 25(1) | None printed |
| Transmission to a civil court | Section 25(2) | None printed |
| Recovery as arrears of land revenue | Section 25(3) | If payment is not made within the period in the order |
The penalty for failing to comply with a Tribunal order is in section 26. For how industries comply with orders in practice see our article on NGT compliance orders for industries.
Practical points
- Diarise ninety days from communication of the order for any Supreme Court appeal.
- Frame grounds by reference to section 100 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
- Pay or deposit as the order directs; non-payment leads to execution and recovery as arrears of land revenue.
- Consider costs when seeking or resisting an interim injunction.
An example
The Tribunal directs Hemkund Pulp Mills Limited to pay compensation for damage to the environment of a wetland. Under section 24 the amount is remitted for credit to the Environment Relief Fund. The company does not pay within the period in the order, so under section 25(3) the amount is recoverable as arrears of land revenue, and the Tribunal can execute the order as a decree. The company may, within ninety days of communication, appeal to the Supreme Court on section 100 grounds.
Need help with an order of the Tribunal?
After an order, the clock for appeal and the date for payment both matter. Our legal dispute resolution team can help you assess an appeal, plan compliance and respond to execution.
Key takeaways
- Appeal lies to the Supreme Court within ninety days of communication, on grounds in section 100 of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908.
- The Tribunal can award costs, including for false or vexatious claims, with reasons recorded.
- Compensation for damage to environment is remitted for credit to the Environment Relief Fund.
- Tribunal orders are executable as decrees and unpaid amounts are recoverable as arrears of land revenue.
Read next
- Sections 26 to 28: penalty for not complying with orders
- Sections 19 to 21: procedure, powers and principles
- Sections 7A and 8 of the PLI Act: the Environment Relief Fund
- NGT compliance orders for industries
Disclaimer: Based on the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 and the Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 as amended by the Jan Vishwas (Amendment of Provisions) Act, 2023 (in force for these Acts from 1 April 2024), the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 as amended by its Amendment Act of 2024 (which applies only in the States and Union territories it names and in States that adopt it), and the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 as amended by the Tribunals Reforms Act, 2021, as consulted on 3 October 2026. Later amendments, rules and notifications should be checked. This article is general information, not legal advice; check the official text before acting.