Every winter, north India is choked by a thick, toxic smog. Among the many contributors to this is stubble burning, a practice prevalent across the northern state, including Punjab. In recent years, the state has copped a lot of criticism for its farm fires, which have already started this year, as farmers begin harvesting paddy. But a new government action plan reveals a surprising insight: the vast majority of farm fires originate from just a tiny fraction of the state’s villages. This year, the Punjab government has appointed nodal officials, cluster coordinators, and field officers in 11,624 villages which grow paddy as their main Kharif season crop. Out of these 11,624 paddy-growing villages, only 663 villages — less than 6% — were responsible for 6,815 of the 10,909 — more than 62% — of all stubble burning cases recorded in the last year So, can an intense, focused strategy in these select villages turn the tide on farm fires? Curbing farm fires In theory, a majority of farm fires can be prevented by concentrating resources, machinery, and awareness in the identified hotspots. Though the government machinery is already educating farmers in these villages to stop burning — as it causes both soil and air pollution, along with health issues — experts suggest a more targeted deployment of Crop Residue Management (CRM) machinery through Custom Hiring Centres (CHCs). These centres allow farmers, especially small and marginal ones, to rent machines like Smart Seeders, Super Seeders, balers, and mulchers at affordable rates, instead of burning crop residue. If even one well-equipped CHC or a cooperative society is set up in each of these 663 villages — along with making machines available through progressive farmers in these areas — access to machinery could eliminate the need to burn stubble altogether. Ensuring timely availability, trained operators, and maintenance support is key. Prioritisation key In several districts, including Sangrur, Bathinda, Mansa, Faridkot, Ferozepur, Tarn Taran, Barnala, and Moga, where these 663 hot spots are identified, Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and District police heads have taken a proactive approach by conducting orientation programmes for farmers, Panchayat members, and local influencers. These sessions include live demonstrations of CRM machines, awareness about subsidies, discussions on long-term soil health and legal implications, and testimonies from progressive farmers who have successfully stopped burning. However, experts say this needs to be scaled up across all 663 villages, with full support from government, district administrations, the Punjab Pollution Control Board, the Punjab Agriculture Department, etc. Punjab has already deployed a ‘Parali Protection Force’ of around 8,000 personnel, including 5,000 nodal officers, 1,500 cluster coordinators, and 1,200 field officers in 11,624 villages. These teams are stationed across all paddy-growing villages and use a mobile app to submit daily action-taken reports after field visits. But the challenge is that these teams are spread thin across 11,000+ villages. By reallocating more staff and focus to the 663 high-burn villages, officials can make a much more visible impact in less time. A promising solution If 62% of fires come from just 6% of villages, tackling the issue in these areas could sharply bring down overall numbers. Combined with ongoing efforts in the rest of the state, this focused approach could break the back of the farm fire crisis. Experts say this is not an unmanageable issue — it just needs the political will, administrative focus, and community participation in the right places. Punjab has the machinery — over 1.5 lakh units — the manpower, and the data. What it needs now is precision targeting. By focusing on the 663 most fire-prone villages, strengthening CHCs, scaling up orientation programs, and ensuring on-ground execution, the state could significantly reduce farm fires — and set a national example in climate and public health leadership. Several NGOs which can support small and marginal farmers financially to manage the stubble can also be engaged in these hot spots, said experts.
