Jaipur, Sept. 25 -- The National Green Tribunal (NGT), Bhopal bench, has directed the Rajasthan forest department to strictly implement prescribed measures for the prevention and control of forest fires in the Kumbhalgarh forest area. The directions came while disposing of an application registered suo motu following a report published in Dainik Bhaskar on April 27 about a major fire in the forest area. According to forest department's report, the fire affected around 120 hectares, mainly burning dry grass and leaf litter. No wildlife casualties were reported. Forest personnel, fire watchers and local villagers reached the site after the fire was reported and contained it by creating fire lines and using other measures. Strong winds had caused the flames to spread rapidly through dry vegetation. The bench of Justice Shiv Kumar Singh, judicial member, and Dr Afroz Ahmad, expert member, took note of measures being undertaken by the department, including construction and maintenance of fire lines, availability of firefighting equipment, regular patrolling and community participation. The tribunal directed the department to strictly follow prescribed guidelines for forest-fire prevention and control and ensure compliance with the relevant provisions of the Rajasthan Forest Manual. It also directed authorities to procure and adopt necessary equipment and modern technology for detecting and controlling forest fires. The NGT further ordered regular patrolling and monitoring by forest officials and staff to ensure that fire incidents are detected at an early stage and brought under control promptly. The tribunal directed that a copy of the order be provided to the concerned divisional forest officer and the Rajasthan State Pollution Control Board for necessary action. With these directions, NGT disposed of Original Application No. 119/2026 (CZ)....