Amid a recent increase in paddy stubble burning incidents in Punjab, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) on Sunday directed authorities in seven districts of the state to strengthen monitoring and enforcement measures to prevent further incidents.
The directions were issued during a review meeting chaired by CAQM Member Secretary Tarun Pithode with district collectors, district magistrates and senior superintendents of police from Faridkot, Firozpur, Barnala, Bathinda, Patiala, Malerkotla and Sangrur.
The meeting focused on assessing measures already undertaken by district administrations and reviewing their preparedness to manage paddy straw and prevent its burning in agricultural fields.
๐๐ป๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ฒ๐บ๐ฒ๐ป๐ ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฎ๐๐๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ ๐๐ป๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐๐ถ๐ฒ๐
In a post on X, the commission said the meeting was convened following a recent spurt in farm fire incidents across Punjab.
"Member Secretary, CAQM Shri Tarun Pithode, today held a review meeting amid the recent spurt in paddy stubble burning incidents in Punjab. The meeting reviewed actions taken by them and preparedness to manage stubble," the commission said.
During the meeting, officials were instructed to intensify field-level monitoring and ensure that preventive measures were implemented effectively in areas reporting stubble burning incidents.
The commission also emphasised the need for coordination among different arms of the district administration to strengthen enforcement and discourage the burning of crop residue.
๐๐ผ๐ฐ๐๐ ๐ผ๐ป ๐บ๐ฎ๐ฐ๐ต๐ถ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ฎ๐ป๐ฑ ๐ณ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐บ๐ฒ๐ฟ ๐ฎ๐๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฒ๐ป๐ฒ๐๐
The CAQM directed district authorities to ensure the effective deployment of balers and other crop residue management machinery to help farmers dispose of paddy straw without resorting to burning.
Balers are used to collect and compress agricultural residue into bundles, making it easier to transport and use for other purposes. Their availability and deployment are important components of efforts to promote alternatives to open-field burning.
Officials were also asked to intensify awareness campaigns among farmers and encourage the adoption of crop residue management practices.
The commission stressed that all relevant departments and personnel, including police officials, must be actively involved in efforts to prevent farm fires.
๐ฆ๐๐๐ฏ๐ฏ๐น๐ฒ ๐ฏ๐๐ฟ๐ป๐ถ๐ป๐ด ๐ฟ๐ฎ๐ถ๐๐ฒ๐ ๐ฎ๐ถ๐ฟ ๐พ๐๐ฎ๐น๐ถ๐๐ ๐ฐ๐ผ๐ป๐ฐ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ป๐
The directions come as agricultural residue burning remains a concern during the post-harvest season in Punjab and neighbouring states. Farmers sometimes burn leftover paddy straw to clear their fields quickly for the next crop, despite the availability of alternative management methods.
Smoke from such fires contributes to particulate pollution across parts of north India, particularly when unfavourable weather conditions limit the dispersion of pollutants.
The CAQM, which is responsible for coordinating measures to improve air quality in Delhi and the National Capital Region and adjoining areas, has repeatedly emphasised the need to prevent agricultural residue burning through enforcement, machinery deployment and farmer participation.
Sunday's review placed particular emphasis on the seven identified districts, with local administrations directed to strengthen preventive action and improve coordination to contain the recent rise in incidents.