Chandigarh: Since the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) began monitoring stubble burning on September 15, incidents of farm fires in the state have decreased by 72% compared to the same period last year.
This year, only 188 stubble burning incidents were recorded, a sharp decline from 656 during the same timeframe in 2023.
According to reports, the PPCB has identified 16 districts and 663 villages as stubble-burning hotspots, including Amritsar, Patiala, Barnala, Bathinda, Faridkot, Fatehgarh Sahib, Fazilka, Ferozepur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Mansa, Moga, Muktsar, Sangrur, and Tarn Taran.
Last year, these areas accounted for 23,410 stubble burning cases, making up 64% of the total 36,663 farm fire incidents recorded between September 15 and November 30, 2023.
Today, only nine stubble burning cases were reported in Punjab, with eight in Amritsar and one in Patiala.
The state experienced 26 incidents on October 1, 16 on October 2, and eight on October 3.
In its efforts to combat stubble burning, the PPCB has expedited the penal process, imposing environmental compensation of Rs 1.85 lakh and recovering Rs 1.7 lakh.
The Revenue Department has issued around 50 “red entries” against farmers involved in stubble burning, restricting their access to loans, land sales, and gun licenses.
Moreover, six FIRs have been filed against violators.
