Substantial drop in farm fires in Ambala

A considerable fall in the number of farm fires in Ambala, reported by the Haryana Space Applications Centre (HARSAC), has been observed during the kharif season so far.

As per data from the Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Department, HARSAC has shared 81 active fire locations (AFLs) as of November 7, compared to 184 during the corresponding period last year.

Of 81 AFLs reported, no fire was found on 43 locations, and environment compensation charge (ECC) was imposed on 38 farmers after stubble was found being burnt in their fields.

During kharif season 2023, HARSAC had reported 195 AFLs, of which 82 were not found on the ground and challans were issued in 113 cases, while in 2022, as many as 227 cases were reported, of which no fire was found in 164 cases and challans were issued in 63 cases.

Agriculture Department officials believe that awareness drive, incentive and action against farmers and officials helped the department in bringing the stubble burning cases down.

“Sporadic incidents of farm fires have been reported this year and in several cases it was found that the farmers were the tenants and not the owners of the agricultural land. Besides this, some farmers were reluctant in adopting crop residue management techniques due to the lack of knowledge and set the stubble on fire. A shorter window for sowing for the farmers who grow mustard, fodder and potato crops, and delay in getting machines to prepare bales were some reasons the farmers cited for burning stubble,” the official said.

Meanwhile, Deputy Director Agriculture Jasvinder Saini said, “The department has carried out intensive awareness campaign to educate farmers about the ill effects of burning stubble, and it has started yielding results. A decrease in the number of fires has been observed this year. Besides HARSAC, the department also keeps a watch on farm fires and imposes fines on violators. ECC has been imposed on nine non-HARSAC cases this year.”

“The demand for paddy bales from industries have also played an important role, and we are hopeful that stubble burning cases will go down to zero in the coming years. About 98 per cent harvesting is completed and majority of the stubble has already been managed,” he added.