Punjab logs 238 new stubble fire cases
The state witnessed 238 cases of stubble burning on Friday, taking the total tally to 7,864.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s home district Sangrur reported maximum 119 cases today, followed by Muktsar (23), Patiala (21), Mansa (20) and Bathinda (20).
The authorities have imposed a penalty of around Rs 1.3 crore in 3,846 cases and recovered over Rs 97 lakh as environmental compensation. As many as 4,097 FIRs have been registered and 3,842 red entries made in the land records of erring farmers. Proceedings have been initiated against 61 supervisory officers under Section 14 of the CAQM Act.
Experts said the number of farm fires had started coming down, but it would take time for the air quality to improve in affected areas, including the Tricity and the NCR.
Dr Ravindra Khaiwal, Professor of Environment Health, Nodal Faculty Officer, Centre of Excellence on Climate Change & Air Pollution, said farm fires could significantly impact the air quality in distant cities, even under still conditions. The expert said that increase in wind speed would sweep away fog and resultant smog, thereby improving the AQI.
Fazilka: All nine cases of stubble burning registered in Fazilka district over the past two days are against unidentified persons. Three cases have been registered in Abohar subdivision, four in Fazilka subdivision and two in Jalalabad subdivision of the district.
