Cops, admn take action to combat farm fires, improve AQI at Fazilka

In November 2023, Fazilka reported the highest number of such incidents in the region, prompting urgent action from local authorities.

During a recent meeting with gazetted officers and police, Senior Superintendent of Police Varinder Singh Brar stressed the importance of enhancing awareness campaigns. He urged officials to organise meetings in grain markets and public spaces across villages to educate farmers about the consequences of stubble burning.

Last year, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) directed the administration to tackle the rising number of burning incidents. As the paddy harvesting season drew to a close, Fazilka saw a surge in farm fire occurrences, with 80 per cent of the district’s total fire cases reported in the last two weeks of November. From September 15, 2023, the district recorded 1,839 farm fire incidents, with 1,487 occurring in just the second and third weeks of November.

A survey revealed many farmers, particularly those cultivating both Basmati and long-duration paddy varieties, resorted to burning stubble. Additionally, baler operators responsible for crop residue management often refused to collect the leftover straw, claiming they had already fulfilled their quotas. This left many farmers with no option but to burn the stubble in preparation for sowing wheat.

Current air quality indices (AQI) in the region highlight the environmental impact of these practices, with readings of 141 in Abohar, 163 in Fazilka and 183 in Jalalabad, a major paddy-growing area.

In response, police officials have proactively engaged with the community, visiting 92 villages in Abohar sub-division, 28 in Fazilka and 78 in Jalalabad. Fazilka’s police force has held 279 public meetings, raising awareness about the health and environmental dangers of stubble burning. Officers also intervened in fields where burning was reported, helping to control fires and educate farmers on the harmful effects of this practice.

As a result of these sustained awareness efforts, Fazilka has seen a significant reduction in farm fire incidents compared to last year, with the district now reporting cases in single digits — approximately one every other day. Abohar Deputy Superintendent of Police Sukhwinder Singh Brar noted the positive impact of these initiatives, signalling hope for continued improvement in environmental conditions in the region.

Malerkotla: The Deputy Commissioner, Dr Pallavi, Senior Superintendent of Police Gagan Ajit Singh, and Additional Deputy Commissioner Sukhpreet Singh Sidhu are leading special teams conducting surprise checks across the district’s three subdivisions. Their aim is to ensure strict adherence to preventive and punitive measures against stubble burning.

So far, the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre has reported 48 fires in the region; however, only seven of these were confirmed upon physical verification. Dr Pallavi said 30 of the reports were classified as ‘no crop residue fire’ after designated officials conducted on-site checks, while reports for 11 incidents are still pending. Geo-tagged photographs have supported claims from nodal and cluster officers, although senior officials, including Dr Pallavi, have conducted surprise visits to verify these findings.

To date, fines totalling Rs 15,000 have been imposed on seven farmers for violating the National Green Tribunal’s guidelines and police cases have been filed against those found culpable.

In line with the state’s Action Plan for Control of Burning of Crop Residue, approximately 150 government employees from various departments have been assigned as nodal officers to monitor stubble burning activities in their respective areas. The combination of surprise inspections by senior officials and prompt fire extinguishing efforts by the police has proved effective in deterring the practice of stubble burning.

The administration remains committed to implementing strict measures to protect the environment and public health while addressing the agricultural practices contributing to air quality issues in the region.