Despite a marked fall from previous years, Punjab continues to battle farm fires as authorities tighten penalties and push residue management measures

Punjab recorded 28 new incidents of stubble burning on Thursday, taking the total number of farm fires to 512 since 15 September, according to data from the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB).

The state has seen a sharp rise of 324 cases from the 188 crop residue burning incidents reported up to 16 October. Tarn Taran led the tally with 159 fires, followed by Amritsar with 133, Ferozepur 58, Patiala 32 and Gurdaspur 25.

Despite repeated appeals from the government, many farmers continue to burn crop residue to clear fields quickly for the sowing of wheat, the main rabi crop. The short window between paddy harvest and wheat sowing in October and November often drives the practice, which contributes significantly to air pollution across north India, including Delhi-NCR.

Fines amounting to Rs 13.25 lakh have been imposed in 246 cases as environmental compensation, of which Rs 8.95 lakh has been collected. The state has also registered 215 FIRs 68 in Tarn Taran and 58 in Amritsar under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for disobedience of orders issued by public authorities.

In addition, 214 “red entries” have been marked in the land records of erring farmers, restricting them from obtaining loans or selling their farmland.

According to the PPCB, Punjab has 31.72 lakh hectares under paddy cultivation this year, of which 40.65 per cent had been harvested by 23 October. While awareness campaigns have been launched to highlight the health and environmental impacts of stubble burning, the traditional method remains prevalent in several districts.

Cabinet Minister Aman Arora said the state has witnessed a 90 per cent decline in farm fires between 15 September and 21 October compared to the same period in 2021. The number of incidents dropped from 4,327 in 2021 to 415 this year, with only 62 fires reported on 21 October compared to 597 on the same date four years ago.

Arora credited the reduction to the combined efforts of the state government and farmers, noting that more than 1.5 lakh crop residue management (CRM) machines have been distributed at subsidised rates to encourage sustainable disposal of paddy straw.

He appealed to farmers to support the government’s mission to eliminate stubble burning entirely, assuring them of continued assistance and incentives.

Punjab recorded 10,909 farm fires in 2024, down from 36,663 in 2023 a decline of nearly 70 per cent. The figures have dropped steadily from 71,304 cases in 2021 and 76,590 in 2020, signalling gradual improvement but continued challenges in enforcement and adoption of alternative methods.