States » NorthPosted at: Nov 3 2026 2:57PM

Neeraj Bali
Chandigarh, Nov 3 (UNI) Stubble-burning incidents in Punjab have declined by nearly 29 per cent this paddy harvesting season compared with the corresponding period last year, while authorities have imposed penalties totalling Rs 29 lakh on farmers found setting fire to crop residue, a senior environmental official said.
The state recorded 1,612 farm fires until November 2, down from 2,262 during the same period last year, a reduction of 650 incidents, or 28.7 per cent, Senior Environmental Officer Dr. Rajiv Gupta said.
Of the Rs 29 lakh imposed as environmental compensation, approximately Rs 19 lakh has been recovered, while efforts are underway to collect the remaining amount.
Gupta attributed the decline to increased field surveillance, enforcement action and measures aimed at helping farmers manage paddy straw without burning it.
"The efforts being made by the government and the departments concerned are showing positive results. Our teams are continuously working in the field to bring down stubble-burning incidents further," Gupta said.
He said nodal officers, cluster officers, and field staff had been deployed to monitor agricultural areas, with district administrations assisting in identifying violations and taking action against offenders.
Officials detecting farm fires initiate proceedings under the prescribed rules, including imposing environmental compensation, making red entries in revenue records, and recommending police cases where necessary.
Gupta said enforcement was being accompanied by efforts to make crop residue management equipment and alternative technologies accessible to farmers.
Punjab has long struggled with stubble burning during the narrow window between paddy harvesting and wheat sowing. Farmers often burn leftover straw to prepare their fields quickly, adding to seasonal air pollution across northern India.
The state government has stepped up its campaign against the practice, combining field inspections with village-level awareness programmes.
According to Gupta, agriculture department teams are visiting villages and farms to explain alternatives to burning crop residue.
Awareness campaigns are also being conducted through street plays, public announcements, advertisements and school programmes.
Officials are encouraging farmers to use available machinery and adopt methods that allow paddy straw to be managed in the field or collected for other uses.
Gupta appealed to farmers to cooperate with the authorities and avoid setting fire to crop residue.
The latest figures show a substantial year-on-year decline, although more than 1,600 incidents have still been recorded this season.
Officials said monitoring and enforcement would continue during the remaining harvesting period.
UNI NB RSA