Who was the first Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) in India?

Introduction / Context:
The National Green Tribunal, or NGT, is a specialised judicial body in India that deals with environmental disputes and issues related to environmental protection. Knowing who served as its first Chairperson helps you connect institutional history with environmental law. This question tests awareness of the founding leadership of the NGT and distinguishes Lokeshwar Singh Panta from other prominent legal figures.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The institution mentioned is the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
• The question asks for the first Chairperson of the NGT.
• The options list different legal personalities.
• We assume familiarity with the NGT as a key environmental adjudicatory body in India.

Concept / Approach:
The NGT was established to provide speedy and specialised decisions on environmental matters. Its first Chairperson was Justice Lokeshwar Singh Panta, a former judge of the Supreme Court of India. Other names listed in the options are respected figures, but they did not serve as the first Chairperson of the NGT. Identifying the first head is often a standard exam question in the area of environment and polity.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that the NGT is a relatively new body created to deal with environmental disputes in a focused and efficient way. Step 2: Remember that Justice Lokeshwar Singh Panta was appointed as the first Chairperson when the tribunal became functional. Step 3: Examine the options and identify Lokeshwar Singh Panta among them. Step 4: Recognise that other names such as Jagdish Singh Khehar are associated with different judicial roles but not with being the first Chairperson of the NGT. Step 5: Therefore, select Lokeshwar Singh Panta as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
One way to verify is to connect the creation of the NGT with the need for specialised environmental adjudication and to remember that a retired Supreme Court judge is usually appointed as Chairperson. Study materials and standard question banks often mention Justice Lokeshwar Singh Panta as the first head of the NGT, which confirms the answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Jagdish Singh Khehar served as Chief Justice of India but was not the first Chairperson of the NGT. Dinesh Saxena is not known as the founding Chairperson of the NGT in standard references. Jasmine Sharma is also not recorded as the first Chairperson of the NGT.

Common Pitfalls:
Students may confuse the NGT Chairperson with other environmental or judicial positions, especially when many names sound similar. Another pitfall is to mix up the sequence of appointments and remember someone who was Chairperson later as the first appointee. A simple way to avoid errors is to make a short list of firsts in environment related institutions, such as first NGT Chairperson, first environment minister, and first major environmental act, and revise them regularly.

Final Answer:
The first Chairperson of the National Green Tribunal was Lokeshwar Singh Panta.