Punjab: Action taken to control fire in the fields

Punjab: In November 2023, Fazilka recorded the highest number of such incidents in the region, forcing the local authorities to take immediate action. During a recent meeting with gazetted officers and police, Senior Superintendent of Police Varinder Singh Brar stressed the importance of increasing awareness campaigns. He urged the officials to hold meetings at grain markets and public places in villages to educate farmers about the consequences of stubble burning. Last year, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) had directed the administration to deal with the rising incidents of stubble burning. As the paddy harvesting season comes to an end, Fazilka has witnessed a rise in farm fire incidents, with 80 per cent of the total fire incidents in the district being reported in the last two weeks of November. Since September 15, 2023, the district has recorded 1,839 incidents of farm fires, of which 1,487 occurred in the second and third weeks of November alone. A survey has revealed that many farmers, especially those cultivating Basmati and long-duration paddy varieties, resort to stubble burning. Moreover, baler operators responsible for crop residue management often refuse to collect the remaining straw, claiming they have already completed their quota. This leaves many farmers with no choice but to burn stubble in preparation for wheat sowing.

The current air quality index (AQI) in the region highlights the environmental impact of these practices, with readings of 141 in Abohar, 163 in Fazilka and 183 in Jalalabad, a major paddy-growing region. In response, police officials have actively engaged with the community, visiting 92 villages in the Abohar sub-division, 28 in Fazilka and 78 in Jalalabad. The police force of Fazilka has conducted 279 public meetings, raising awareness about the health and environmental hazards of stubble burning. The officers also intervened in fields where stubble burning was reported, helping to control the fires and educate farmers about the harmful effects of the practice. As a result of these sustained awareness efforts, Fazilka has seen a significant reduction in the number of farm fires compared to the previous year, and the district is now reporting cases in single digits – almost one every other day. Abohar Deputy Superintendent of Police Sukhwinder Singh Brar noted the positive impact of these initiatives, indicating hope for a sustained improvement in the environmental situation in the region. Malerkotla: Deputy Commissioner Dr Pallavi, Senior Superintendent of Police Gagan Ajit Singh and Additional Deputy Commissioner Sukhpreet Singh Sidhu are leading special teams conducting surprise inspections in three subdivisions of the district. Their aim is to ensure strict adherence to preventive and punitive measures against stubble burning.

So far, the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre has reported 48 fires in the region; however, only seven of these were confirmed after physical verification. Dr Pallavi said 30 reports were classified as ‘no crop residue fires’ after spot checks by designated officers, while reports of 11 incidents are still pending. Geo-tagged photographs corroborate the claims of the nodal and cluster officers, though senior officers, including Dr Pallavi, have conducted surprise checks to confirm these findings. To date, seven farmers have been fined a total of Rs 15,000 for violating the National Green Tribunal guidelines and police cases have been registered against those found guilty. In line with the state’s action plan to control crop residue burning, about 150 government employees from various departments have been appointed as nodal officers to monitor stubble burning activities in their respective areas. The combination of surprise checks by senior officers and prompt fire extinguishing efforts by the police have proved effective in curbing the practice of stubble burning. The Administration is committed to implementing strict measures to protect the environment and public health by addressing agricultural practices that contribute to air quality issues in the region.