Punjab Records Fresh Stubble Burning Incidents as Madhya Pradesh Maintains National Dominance
On Thursday, Punjab reported two new cases of stubble burning, increasing its total count to six for the current wheat harvesting season. This development comes alongside a continued sharp surge in crop residue burning incidents in Madhya Pradesh, which remains the epicenter of this environmental issue across India.
Madhya Pradesh's Overwhelming Contribution to National Figures
Madhya Pradesh accounted for a staggering 1,497 of the 2,103 stubble burning cases reported across multiple states during the day. This daily contribution has pushed the cumulative count across five key agricultural states to 21,427 incidents. Of this total, Madhya Pradesh alone is responsible for 15,404 cases, representing nearly 72% of all stubble burning incidents recorded during this wheat harvesting period.
Historical Data Reveals Persistent Pattern
According to data from the Consortium for Research on Agroecosystem Monitoring and Modeling from Space (CREAMS), Madhya Pradesh has consistently dominated crop residue burning statistics over the past five years. Between 2022 and April 16, 2026, the state reported 1,10,090 of the 2,19,966 total cases nationwide.
The breakdown of historical data reveals:
- Madhya Pradesh: 1,10,090 cases (approximately 50% of national total)
- Uttar Pradesh: 51,984 cases
- Punjab: 47,983 cases
- Haryana: 9,790 cases
- Delhi: 119 cases
District-Level Analysis Shows Concentrated Impact
The maximum number of burning cases has been reported from Siddharthnagar district in Uttar Pradesh, with 2,522 incidents recorded. Additionally, 32 districts across Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have each reported over 100 stubble burning cases as of April 16, indicating widespread agricultural practices contributing to air pollution.
Seasonal Comparison Highlights Consistent Trends
This pattern of Madhya Pradesh leading in stubble burning incidents is not new. During the paddy harvesting season of 2025 (kharif season), the state reported the maximum number of cases at 17,067, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 7,290 cases and Punjab with 5,114 cases as of November 30, 2025.
Current Season Statistics by State
The latest cumulative figures for crop residue burning cases as of April 16, 2026, present a clear picture of state-wise contributions:
- Madhya Pradesh: 15,404 cases
- Uttar Pradesh: 5,993 cases
- Haryana: 21 cases
- Punjab: 6 cases
- Delhi: 3 cases
- Total Across Five States: 21,427 cases
The data underscores the persistent challenge of crop residue management in Indian agriculture, with Madhya Pradesh continuing to account for the majority of stubble burning incidents despite various policy interventions and awareness campaigns aimed at reducing this environmentally damaging practice.
