Even as parts of Punjab continue to reel from recent floods, fresh stubble burning incidents have begun surfacing in the state. So far, five farm fires have been reported from Amritsar and two from Patiala in the last five days. This early start to the season has prompted a swift response from authorities. The emergence of Punjab stubble burning at this time is a cause for concern.
The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) is taking a proactive approach to curb the practice. In a meeting held in Patiala on Wednesday, the PPCB identified 10 districts, including Sangrur, Tarn Taran, Muktsar, Bathinda, Ferozepur, and Amritsar, for close monitoring based on their farm fire record from 2024. The state government is on notice from the Supreme Court, which has asked why “errant farmers should not be arrested to send a strong message.”
Agriculture experts, however, caution that the problem may be compounded this year by the recent floods. Sukhbir Singh Dhaliwal, an agriculture expert, noted that with harvesting delayed due to floodwaters, farmers will have less than a month to prepare their fields for the wheat crop, which could trigger a spike in residue burning around Diwali.
The PPCB’s data from 2024 shows a significant 70 per cent drop in farm fires compared to the previous year, with 10,909 cases against 36,663 in 2023 and 49,922 in 2022. This progress, however, is now at risk.
Farmer leaders like Balbir Singh Rajewal and Jagjit Singh Dallewal say that stubble burning is a last resort. They demand a ₹300 per quintal incentive for paddy residue, arguing that without it, the cost of crop residue management machines is a “heavy burden” for small farmers. Dallewal urged the court to implement its 2019 order asking the government to provide incentives and machines to farmers.