Punjab witnessed its sharpest single-day surge in paddy stubble-burning incidents this season on November 8, with 1,152 farm fires reported across the state as Diwali celebrations coincided with the approaching deadline for wheat sowing.
The fresh incidents pushed Punjab's cumulative farm-fire count from 3,307 to 4,459, marking a 34.8% increase within 24 hours. The latest tally has already exceeded the 3,316 incidents reported during the corresponding period last year, according to data from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), compiled through satellite-based monitoring by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
The surge has raised concerns over the effectiveness of the state government's enforcement measures, including police cases, financial penalties and other action against farmers found burning crop residue.
The pressure to clear harvested paddy fields before the November 15 wheat-sowing deadline recommended by Punjab Agricultural University remains a major factor behind the continued incidents. With around 91% of the state's paddy area already harvested, farmers are facing a narrowing window to prepare their fields for the next crop.
Sangrur, Ferozepur account for highest daily additions
Sangrur recorded the highest number of fresh farm fires on November 8, with 194 incidents taking its seasonal tally to 488.
Ferozepur followed with 157 new cases, raising its cumulative count to 592. Bathinda reported 132 fresh incidents, taking its total to 406, while Patiala added 92 cases to reach 288.
Barnala recorded 91 new fires, while Ludhiana reported 71, bringing its seasonal tally to 193.
In terms of cumulative incidents, Tarn Taran continues to top the district-wise list with 654 farm fires. Ferozepur follows with 592, Sangrur with 488, Bathinda with 406, Patiala with 288 and Amritsar with 247.
The latest figures indicate that the state could surpass its entire 2025 seasonal tally of 5,114 incidents before the official farm-fire monitoring period concludes on November 30.
Inspections and enforcement measures yet to prevent farm fires
The sharp increase has come despite multiple enforcement measures initiated by the Punjab government and the CAQM to discourage stubble burning.
Data available with the commission up to November 8 show that 884 FIRs have been registered under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS), while 1,017 red entries have been made in land revenue records against farmers found violating the restrictions.
Environmental compensation amounting to ₹62.55 lakh has been imposed in 1,228 cases. However, only ₹32.60 lakh has been recovered so far.
Authorities have also issued 1,103 show-cause notices to enforcement officials over their failure to prevent stubble burning. Eighteen prosecutions have been initiated, although no suspensions or formal charge sheets have been processed.
The monitoring exercise has also involved field inspections. Of the 2,998 fields inspected, 1,317 sites were physically verified as cases of stubble burning, highlighting the continuing challenge of translating satellite-detected incidents into verified cases and effective enforcement.
The CAQM has also reviewed the situation with senior administrative and police officials from 12 districts, calling for intensified monitoring and greater accountability of nodal officers responsible for preventing farm fires.
Punjab's air quality deteriorates amid farm fires and Diwali pollution
The spike in stubble-burning incidents has coincided with a deterioration in air quality across Punjab, with pollution from Diwali firecrackers adding to the seasonal emissions.
The situation has been further aggravated by winter inversion, a meteorological condition in which cooler air remains trapped beneath a layer of warmer air, preventing pollutants from dispersing and keeping them closer to the ground.
According to Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data for November 9, Mandi Gobindgarh recorded an AQI of 399, placing it in the very poor category.
Ludhiana reported an AQI of 313, followed by Jalandhar at 298, Amritsar at 234 and Patiala at 210. The readings indicate elevated pollution levels across several major urban centres in the state.
The combination of crop-residue burning, firecracker emissions and unfavourable winter weather conditions has added to Punjab's pollution burden, raising concerns about the impact on public health.
With the official monitoring period scheduled to end on November 30 and the recommended wheat-sowing deadline falling on November 15, authorities face a limited window to contain further farm fires. The latest surge also underscores the gap between the enforcement measures announced by the government and their effectiveness on the ground.