Order of the National Green Tribunal in the matter of Rajiv Dutta Vs Union of India & Others dated 19/02/2018 regarding notification of National Policy on forest fires. The Counsel appearing for Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change submits that Ministry has taken steps to comply with the order of the Tribunal and in fact World Bank is involved and several steps have been taken. According to the Counsel National Policy Draft has been prepared seeking suggestions of the State Governments who are stakeholders, but the State Governments have not yet responded, consequently the National Policy on Forest Fire could not be finalized.

NGT directs the State Governments to cooperate with the Ministry and send response at the earliest. NGT issues directions to the Chief Secretaries of the States to take immediate step in the matter in relation approval the drafting and making suggestion to the draft National Policy.