Punjab recorded its largest single-day increase in farm fires this season, with 587 incidents reported on Friday, according to data from the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre. From September 15 to November 1, a total of 3,537 farm fire cases have been documented across the state.
The district of Sangrur led the report with 79 cases, followed closely by Ferozepur with 70, Tarn Taran with 59, and Amritsar with 40. Other districts such as Bathinda, Kapurthala, Mansa, and Patiala reported 34, 43, 47, and 40 cases, respectively. Meanwhile, Fazilka, Rupnagar, and Pathankot each reported a single incident of farm fire.
The previous high for this season was recorded just a day earlier, on Thursday, when 484 cases were reported. Sangrur again topped the list with 89 incidents, followed by Ferozepur with 65 and Mansa with 40.
The rise in farm fire incidents has been particularly notable in recent days, with 219 new cases logged on Tuesday, bringing the season’s total to 2,356 at that time. As paddy procurement continues in Punjab, the practice of stubble burning remains a contentious issue, often cited as a significant contributor to the worsening air quality in Delhi following the paddy harvest in October and November.
The short window for sowing the rabi crop, specifically wheat, prompts some farmers to burn crop residue to prepare their fields quickly. Punjab, which covers over 31 lakh hectares for paddy cultivation, produces approximately 180 to 200 lakh tonnes of paddy straw each year.
While 2023 has seen a total of 36,663 farm fires, representing a 26 percent decrease in incidents compared to previous years, the state had recorded significantly higher numbers in earlier seasons. For instance, Punjab saw 49,922 fire events in 2022, 71,304 in 2021, and a staggering 76,590 in 2020, with districts such as Sangrur, Mansa, Bathinda, and Amritsar consistently showing high levels of stubble burning.
Sources By Agencies