NGT issues notices to Centre, states over rising forest fires

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the Centre, state governments and statutory authorities on a plea seeking urgent steps to tackle rising forest fire incidents, especially in ecologically fragile regions such as the Himalayas and Western Ghats.
A bench headed by Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Dr A. Senthil Vel was hearing an application highlighting a “rapid and alarming” surge in forest fires.
The plea sought directions to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to submit a time-bound status report on implementation of the National Action Plan on Forest Fires, the functioning of fire alert systems, and utilisation of funds under prevention schemes.
It also called for a nationwide fire-risk governance framework, including scientific zonation, seasonal action plans, and standard operating procedures for prevention, detection, response and restoration, along with stronger ground-level preparedness by state Forest departments.
The applicant said forest fires are causing biodiversity loss, environmental degradation and increased climate vulnerability.