The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued notices to the Centre, state governments, and various authorities following a plea addressing the increasing incidents of forest fires nationwide. The plea emphasizes the surge in forest fire occurrences, especially in ecologically sensitive areas like the Himalayas and the Western Ghats. It calls for comprehensive measures to tackle this issue effectively.
The applicant has urged the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change to submit a time-bound report on the National Action Plan on Forest Fires’ implementation, national fire alert systems, and the utilization of funds for forest fire prevention. Additionally, the plea advocates for the establishment of a national fire-risk governance framework and enhanced ground-level preparedness by state Forest Departments.
The plea highlights the severe environmental impact of forest fires, including biodiversity loss, damage to forest carbon sinks, and air pollution. Recent incidents in January 2026, such as fires in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, underscore the urgency of addressing this issue. Data from an RTI query revealed a significant increase in forest fire cases in Maharashtra, pointing to the escalating nature of the problem.
Senior counsel Kunal Tandon, representing the applicant, raised concerns over the lack of compliance with earlier NGT directives on forest fire management. Despite previous efforts, the implementation of forest fire management projects faces challenges at the ground level. The Tribunal has scheduled further consideration of the matter for April 23, directing the applicant to serve copies of the plea to the respondents before the next hearing date.
