In a remarkable environmental turnaround, Punjab and Haryana have reported a staggering 75% reduction in stubble burning incidents during the current harvest season, according to the latest data from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).
Significant Drop in Farm Fires
The CAQM monitoring reveals that between September 15 and November 7, the two agricultural states recorded only 2,914 stubble burning events compared to 11,877 during the same period last year. This dramatic decline represents one of the most substantial improvements in recent years.
Punjab Leads the Positive Change
Punjab, traditionally the largest contributor to stubble burning, showed particularly impressive results with incidents dropping from 10,214 last year to 2,230 this season. Haryana followed suit with a substantial reduction from 1,663 to 684 cases during the monitoring period.
Multi-Pronged Strategy Yields Results
The success stems from a comprehensive approach including:
- Enhanced monitoring systems with satellite surveillance and ground verification
- Increased availability of crop residue management machines through government subsidies
- Stronger enforcement of existing regulations and penalties
- Farmer awareness campaigns about sustainable alternatives
Impact on Delhi-NCR Air Quality
This significant reduction in farm fires is expected to bring substantial relief to the Delhi-National Capital Region, which typically experiences severe air quality deterioration during winter months due to agricultural burning combined with meteorological conditions.
The CAQM has emphasized that continued vigilance and sustained efforts are crucial to maintain this positive trend throughout the remaining harvest season.
