Punjab sees significant dip in farm fires in 10 major hotspots

This year, a different approach was unfolding, when the government is focusing on the these hot spots to control stubble burning particularly and in the rest of state in general.

According to records from the Punjab Pollution Control Board, the maximum number of fires were reported in Sangrur, Bathinda, Ferozepur, Moga, Muktsar, Patiala, Tarn Taran, Mansa, Barnala, and Fazilka districts, among others between 2020 and 2022. This year, the government has been focusing on all these districts and the state has reported a reduction in stubble fires till November 1.

To put figures from September 15 to November 1 into perspective for the past four years, the recorded cases this year has been significantly lower. While Sangrur reported 1,359 fires this year compared to 2,044, 781 and 3492 in 2022, 2021, and 2020, respectively, Tarn Taran recorded 1,167 fires this year compared to 2,595, 2,371 and 3,893 in 2022, 2021 and 2020. Similarly, Firozpur had 1,009 cases compared to 1,316 in 2022, 1225 and 3884, respectively in 2021 and 2021, and Patiala registered 884 fires this year compared to 1,974, 1153 and 3166 in 2022, 2021 and 2020.

Mansa reported 617 fires against 522, 257 and 1,323 in 2022, 2021 and 2020, Moga recorded 321 this year against 485, 633 and 1,141, respectively in 2022, 2021 and 2020. Muktsar reported 132 fires this year compared to 380, 638 and 1536 in 2022, 2021 and 2020. Fazilka also had 81 fires this year compared to 207 last year.

Total stubble burning incidents recorded in the entire season

Punjab recorded a total of 9,594 fire incidents during the same period this year, compared to 17,846 last year from September 15 to November 1 last year, 14,920 in 2021 and 33,175 in 2020.

If the entire season – September 15 to November 30 – Sangrur saw 9,708, 8,001, and 5,239 cases in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively. Similarly, Bathinda reported 7,827, 4,476, and 4,925 fire incidents in the same period. Ferozepur recorded 6,960, 6,272, and 4,295 fires in 2020, 2021, and 2022. Moga also saw high numbers, with 5,866, 6,502, and 3,609 stubble burning cases during those years.

To put figures from September 15 to November 1 into perspective for the past four years, the recorded cases this year has been significantly lower.

Muktsar Sahib recorded 5,542, 4,591, and 3,885 fires, while Patiala reported 5,306, 5,346, and 3,365 fires in 2020, 2021, and 2022, respectively. Tarn Taran registered 4,529, 4,103, and 3,184 fires. Mansa had 4,973, 3,216, and 2,815 fires. In Barnala, the figures were 4,524, 4,313, and 29,10. Fazilka recorded 3,238, 2,385, and 2,855 fires.

Additionally, Faridkot saw 3,851, 3,945, and 2,693 fires in these years. Amritsar, Gurdaspur, Jalandhar, and Kapurthala reported over 2,000 or close to 2,000 stubble burning cases during the same years and period.

An expert said that farmer awareness programmes were conducted extensively, educating them about the consequences of stubble burning and the benefits of adopting new technologies this year. “The collective spirit of the farming community played a pivotal role in the success of these initiatives till the time. The hotspot districts can become torchbearers of change, proving that with the right technology, awareness, and community spirit, even the most deeply entrenched issues could be overcome. The battle is still far from over, but the progress made in these hot spots can bring a new change in the state,” he added.