Punjab has reported a total of 241 cases of stubble burning so far this season, with Tarn Taran district emerging as the worst-affected area, recording 88 such incidents. Despite multiple awareness drives and strict warnings from the state government, many farmers continue to resort to burning crop residue, ignoring official appeals and environmental guidelines. This recurring practice has once again raised serious concerns over air quality in the region and has prompted the authorities to impose fines and initiate legal action against violators.
The persistent issue of stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana is often cited as a major factor contributing to the severe rise in air pollution levels in Delhi and surrounding areas during October and November. This period coincides with the harvesting of paddy crops and the preparation of fields for the Rabi season. Due to the limited time window between the two agricultural cycles, some farmers opt for burning the leftover paddy straw as a quick and inexpensive way to clear their fields for wheat cultivation.
According to recent data released by the Punjab Pollution Control Board, the number of stubble burning incidents between September 15 and October 18 has reached 241, marking a sharp rise from 116 recorded on October 11. Among all districts, Tarn Taran reported the highest number of farm fires at 88, followed by Amritsar with 80 cases, Ferozepur with 16, and Patiala with 11. Officials stated that this monitoring exercise will continue until November 30, as the risk of fresh cases remains high during this period.
The state government has also intensified enforcement measures to deter offenders. So far, fines totaling ₹5.60 lakh have been levied as environmental compensation in 113 cases, out of which ₹4.15 lakh has already been recovered. Additionally, a total of 132 First Information Reports (FIRs) have been registered under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which pertains to the disobedience of lawful orders issued by public authorities. Tarn Taran and Amritsar alone account for 50 and 37 of these FIRs, respectively.
Authorities have also initiated strict administrative actions by making 87 “red entries” in the land records of farmers found guilty of burning crop residue. A red entry serves as a serious penalty, effectively barring farmers from obtaining loans against their land or selling their property until the violation is cleared. This move aims to curb repeat offenses and push farmers toward adopting sustainable alternatives.
Despite these punitive and awareness measures, incidents of farm fires continue to be reported. The Punjab government has been running a large-scale awareness campaign emphasizing the environmental and health hazards of stubble burning, as well as promoting the use of crop residue management machines. These machines are designed to convert leftover stubble into organic fertilizer or compost, thus eliminating the need for burning.
In comparison to previous years, Punjab has shown some progress in reducing overall stubble-burning incidents. In 2024, the state recorded 10,909 cases, a significant 70 percent decline from the 36,663 cases reported in 2023. Historical data, however, reveals the persistence of this issue, with 49,922 cases in 2022, 71,304 in 2021, 76,590 in 2020, 55,210 in 2019, and 50,590 in 2018. Districts like Sangrur, Mansa, Bathinda, and Amritsar have consistently been among the top contributors to these numbers.
While the declining trend offers some optimism, experts warn that sustained efforts and stricter enforcement are needed to fully eliminate stubble burning. Unless long-term solutions such as subsidized crop management tools, better crop diversification policies, and farmer incentives are implemented effectively, Punjab’s air quality and the health of its residents will continue to suffer each harvesting season.
