Punjab has witnessed a significant reduction in farm fires this season, with incidents down to a third of what they were last year between September 15 and October 21. Data reveals that only 415 farm fire incidents were recorded in Punjab during this period, a considerable decrease compared to the 1,510 incidents in 2024 and 1,764 in 2023.
Several factors have contributed to this sharp decline. The delayed paddy harvest, caused by rains that persisted into the first week of October, played a crucial role. Flooding in some areas of Punjab also caused delays in crop harvesting.
Authorities have also attributed the decrease to stricter field monitoring and awareness campaigns educating farmers about the adverse effects of stubble burning. The Punjab Police stated that the "sustained and rigorous efforts by the civil administration and Punjab Police to prevent stubble burning have yielded significant results".
Despite the overall decline, certain districts have reported a higher number of farm fires. Tarn Taran recorded 136 incidents, while Amritsar reported 120. Ferozepur, Patiala, Gurdaspur, and Sangrur reported 41, 27, 16, and 14 incidents, respectively.
The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) data indicates that 32.84% of the total paddy cultivation area in Punjab, which amounts to 31.72 lakh hectares, had been harvested by October 21. Tarn Taran and Amritsar have seen the highest percentage of harvesting, with 67.95% and 70% respectively. Barnala, Moga, and Sangrur have reported lower harvesting percentages.
In response to the incidents of stubble burning, authorities have taken punitive measures. Fines totaling Rs 9.40 lakh have been imposed in 189 cases, with Rs 6.25 lakh already recovered. Additionally, 170 FIRs have been registered, including 61 in Tarn Taran and 50 in Amritsar. The cases have been registered under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, which deals with disobedience of orders promulgated by a public servant. Red entries have also been made in the revenue records of 165 farmers.
The Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab, Gaurav Yadav, and Special DGP Law and Order, Arpit Shukla, have been actively monitoring the situation and holding meetings with senior officers to review stubble burning cases daily. Special DGP Arpit Shukla urged farmers to cooperate and abstain from burning crop residue, emphasizing the detrimental effects on the environment and public health. Joint tours of villages identified as stubble-burning hotspots have been conducted by Deputy Commissioners (DCs), Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs), Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs), and Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs) to raise awareness among farmers.
While the number of farm fires has significantly decreased compared to previous years, it remains to be seen whether this trend will continue as crop harvesting accelerates in the coming days. The efforts of the government and police, combined with the delayed harvesting season, have contributed to this positive development.
