The Centre has appointed outgoing principal chief conservator of forest (PCCF) of Arunachal Pradesh Bikram Singh Sajwan as member of the National Green Tribunal (NGT). Sajwan, a 1976-batch Indian Forest Service (IFS) officer of AGMUT cadre, an expert on medicinal plants, retired on December 31 after rendering distinguished service for over 10 years in Arunachal Pradesh, official sources said.

Sajwan said that the experience of working with the people of the state would be his treasure for life.

Arunachal Pradesh being one of the 12 biodiversity hotspots in the world with over 82% forest coverage would remain dear to my heart and may be as member of the Tribunal I might visit the state again and again, Sajwan said.

NGT was set up in 2010 under Article 21 of the Constitution  which assures the citizens of India the right to a healthy environment.

The tribunal itself is a special fast-track court to handle the expeditious disposal of the cases pertaining to environmental issues.