Punjab Pollution Control Board Honored with SKOCH Silver Award 2025 for Environmental Excellence
The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has been conferred the prestigious SKOCH Silver Award 2025 in the Environment category. This recognition was awarded for the board's groundbreaking project titled "From Crisis to Breakthrough – Punjab's Clean Air Transformation." The award ceremony took place at the 107th SKOCH Summit, themed "Governance Transformed," held at the India Habitat Centre in New Delhi.
Sustained Efforts Lead to Remarkable Reduction in Farm Fires
The SKOCH Award specifically acknowledges Punjab's sustained and effective efforts in managing stubble burning, a major environmental challenge. Over the past five years, the state has achieved an impressive 92% reduction in farm fire incidents. This success is attributed to a coordinated, multi-departmental approach that combines real-time monitoring with long-term structural interventions.
Key strategies implemented include:
- Large-scale deployment of crop residue management (CRM) machinery.
- Strengthening of Custom Hiring Centres to support farmers.
- A substantial increase in the ex-situ utilisation of paddy straw, rising from 8.8 lakh tonnes per annum to over 40 lakh tonnes annually.
These initiatives were significantly facilitated by the PPCB, showcasing a model of integrated environmental management.
From State Initiative to National Model
Reena Gupta, Chairperson of the PPCB, expressed pride in receiving this national recognition. She stated, "We are honoured to receive this award. It reflects the Punjab government's strong commitment to addressing a complex environmental challenge that impacts not just the state but the entire Indo-Gangetic Plain. This achievement results from sustained, collective action across multiple stakeholders."
Building on this momentum, Punjab has developed targeted action plans aimed at completely eliminating stubble burning in the coming years. This positions the state as a replicable model for other regions facing similar ecological issues.
Rigorous Evaluation and National Impact
The SKOCH Award is known for its highly competitive and rigorous multi-stage evaluation process. This includes detailed submissions, presentations before an expert jury, and public voting rounds. The PPCB's project was selected among numerous high-impact initiatives from across India, underscoring its effectiveness and scalability.
This national accolade highlights how technology and policy can synergize to mitigate long-standing ecological crises. Punjab's integrated approach has not only improved air quality within the state but also set a benchmark for environmental governance, benefiting the broader region through enhanced public health and sustainability.
