Sirsa's air quality dips due to crop residue burning, authorities intensify vigil

With paddy harvest in full swing, air quality in the district has significantly deteriorated due to crop residue burning. Deputy Commissioner Shantanu Sharma said pollution was particularly harmful to the elderly and children, causing respiratory issues. The Supreme Court and the National Green Tribunal have issued directives to prevent such hazardous practices.

To tackle the issue, the district administration has formed block-level committees to monitor and prevent burning incidents. These committees are inspecting fields regularly and imposing fines on violators. Public awareness campaigns are also underway, educating farmers on the dangers of stubble burning and promoting sustainable alternatives.

Shantanu Sharma said various officials, including village chiefs and patwaris, are actively organising awareness programmes. Farmers are being encouraged to adopt government schemes that offer a financial incentive of Rs 1,000 per acre for using crop residue management equipment, he added.

In addition, the district administration has identified 120 paddy-producing villages and categorised them into red, green and yellow zones, based on the extent of crop burning. Efforts are being made to manage crop residues efficiently, either by converting them into animal feed or incorporating them back into the soil to enhance fertility.

In another update, the Deputy Commissioner reported that 84,738 metric tonnes of paddy has been purchased from district markets at the minimum support price. Farmers are advised to ensure their paddy is dried before bringing it to the market to speed up the procurement process. Authorities continue to urge farmers to avoid burning stubble and instead contribute to improving air quality by adopting sustainable farming practices.