In a statement released on Monday, the environment ministry said a series of interventions by various stakeholders including frequent review and daily monitoring have resulted in bringing down stubble burning incidents significantly in the last two years.
Punjab and Haryana
The lion’s share of stubble burning incidents are reported from Punjab and Haryana
The total stubble burning incidents detected in Punjab during the 45-day period is 5,254 as against 12,112 in 2022 and 9,001 in 2021.
In Punjab, the single day highest fire count this year so far was reported on October 29 at 1,068.
The five districts of Punjab where maximum stubble burning has been detected in the current year so far, with the number of incidents are as follows: Amritsar – 1,060, Tarn Taran – 646, Patiala -614, Sangrur -564, and Firozpur -517
The total stubble burning incidents detected in Haryana in the 45-day period is 1,094 as against 1,813 in 2022 and 2,413 in 2021.
In Haryana, the single day highest fire count this year was reported on October 15 at 127.
The five districts of Haryana where maximum stubble burning has been detected in the current year so far, with the number of incidents are as follows: Fatehabad -180, Kaithal – 151, Ambala -147, Jind -132, Kurukshetra -120.
Stubble burning to reach peak in next few weeks
To facilitate in-situ management of paddy straw as also for baling/raking machines and equipment to facilitate ex-situ applications, the Central government has so far released about Rs. 3,333 crore in funds under the Crop Residue Management Scheme, to Punjab, NCR States and Delhi.
The ministry said there has been a substantial reduction in paddy stubble burning incidents compared to previous years. “However, there has been a sudden spike in stubble burning cases in Punjab during the last few days and harvesting is expected to peak in the next couple of weeks.”
The state governments of Punjab and Haryana have been advised by the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) to mobilise officials to take all preventive and corrective measure for control of stubble burning as per the Framework and Action Plans, for further focused attention to ensure that the gains achieved are not lost and the momentum is maintained in the coming days, the ministry added.
The Commission has been reviewing the implementation of Action Plans for control of stubble burning in Punjab and NCR States on a regular basis.