Despite awareness drives, 18 farm fire cases reported in Punjab

Farm fires, which usually start after paddy harvesting in late September, have begun earlier this year due to the early sowing of crops. So far, 18 fire incidents have been reported across the state, with cases likely to increase in the coming weeks.

According to the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), two farm fires were captured on satellite today—one in Amritsar and another in Tarn Taran. In comparison, only seven fires were recorded on the same day in 2022, and none in 2023.

The PPCB, in collaboration with the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre and the Ludhiana Agriculture Department, has started monitoring air quality from September 15, anticipating a rise in fires by mid-October. Despite awareness seminars for farmers and the establishment of storage solutions for paddy straw, concerns remain about the increase in fires due to potential delays in harvest caused by anticipated rainfall.

This season, paddy was sown over 32.5 lakh hectares, expected to generate 22.5 million tonnes of straw. Although Punjab aims to utilise over 16 million tonnes of straw, the government faces challenges in controlling stubble burning, which remains a significant source of air and soil pollution. In 2013, the National Green Tribunal prohibited the burning of paddy straw, with penalties ranging from Rs 2,500 to Rs 15,000 per incident, but enforcement has been weak.

Despite a 27 per cent decrease in fire incidents in 2023 compared to 2022, the problem persists. Over 10,000 officers will be deployed to monitor the situation, with deputy commissioners leading efforts to curb stubble burning. The state’s previous proposal for incentives to discourage burning was rejected by the Union Government. As fire activity intensifies in October and November, Punjab is often blamed for contributing to Delhi’s winter pollution.