Punjab Records Minimal Stubble Burning as Madhya Pradesh Dominates National Incidents
As the official wheat harvesting and marketing season enters its twelfth day, Punjab has reported a remarkably low number of just three crop residue burning cases. In stark contrast, Madhya Pradesh has emerged as the national leader in stubble burning incidents, with a staggering 10,615 cases recorded so far. This figure represents a dominant 81.6% of the total crop residue burning incidents reported across India during this period.
State-Wise Breakdown of Stubble Burning Incidents
On Sunday alone, Madhya Pradesh accounted for 1,814 out of the 2,858 total crop residue burning cases reported nationwide. The cumulative count for the current season has now climbed to 12,995 incidents across all states. Notably, wheat harvesting in Punjab has been delayed this year due to unseasonal rainfall, which may be contributing to the lower incidence of burning in the state.
Historical Context and Five-Year Trends
Over the last five years, Madhya Pradesh has consistently reported nearly 50% of all crop residue burning cases in India. From 2022 through April 12, 2026, out of 2,11,534 registered cases nationwide, a substantial 1,05,301 have originated from Madhya Pradesh. Following Madhya Pradesh in the historical rankings are Uttar Pradesh with 48,351 cases, Punjab with 47,980, Haryana with 9,783, and Delhi with 119 cases.
Recent Developments in the Current Season
In a significant development on Sunday, Uttar Pradesh surpassed Punjab in overall crop residue burning cases recorded during the wheat harvesting season over the past five years. The district of Hoshangabad in Madhya Pradesh reported the highest number of incidents, with 1,681 stubble burning cases. Furthermore, 27 districts across Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have each reported more than 100 crop residue burning cases so far this harvesting season.
Comparison with Previous Paddy Harvesting Season
Earlier, during the 2025 paddy harvesting season, Madhya Pradesh also topped the stubble burning list with 17,067 cases. Uttar Pradesh followed with 7,290 incidents, while Punjab reported 5,114 cases during that period. This pattern highlights Madhya Pradesh's persistent challenge with crop residue management across different agricultural cycles.
Current Season Statistics (as of April 12)
- Madhya Pradesh: 10,615 cases
- Uttar Pradesh: 2,360 cases
- Haryana: 14 cases
- Delhi: 3 cases
- Punjab: 3 cases
- Total across states: 12,995 cases
The data underscores the significant disparity in stubble burning practices between states, with Madhya Pradesh continuing to face substantial challenges in managing crop residue despite ongoing agricultural and environmental policies aimed at reducing such incidents.
