Stubble Burning Crisis Intensifies: MP and Uttar Pradesh Account for Majority of Farm Fires
While Punjab and Haryana have shown relative improvement in managing crop residue burning, the practice has surged to unprecedented levels in Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, creating a severe environmental challenge. On Wednesday, a staggering total of 3,463 farm fire incidents were recorded across five states within just 24 hours, underscoring the scale of the issue.
Regional Disparities in Farm Fire Incidents
The data reveals a stark contrast between states. Madhya Pradesh reported the highest number at 2,311 cases, followed by Uttar Pradesh with 1,063 cases. In comparison, Punjab recorded only 44 incidents, Haryana 43, and Delhi just 2 cases. By Wednesday evening, the cumulative toll across these states reached 32,630 incidents, with Madhya Pradesh alone contributing 69% of the total, amounting to 22,475 cases.
Historical Trends and Long-Term Data Analysis
According to 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. From 2022 to April 22, 2026, out of 231,169 recorded cases, Madhya Pradesh accounted for 117,161 incidents, representing over 50% of the total. Uttar Pradesh followed with 55,943 cases, Punjab with 48,065, Haryana with 9,877, and Delhi with 123.
Siddharthnagar district in Uttar Pradesh reported the maximum number of burning incidents at 3,042, highlighting localized hotspots. Overall, 46 districts across Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh have each recorded over 100 cases till April 22, indicating widespread prevalence.
Seasonal Patterns and Agricultural Impact
The problem persists across different harvesting seasons. During the 2025 kharif (paddy harvesting) season, Madhya Pradesh again led with 17,067 stubble burning cases until November 30, 2025. Uttar Pradesh reported 7,290 cases, while Punjab recorded 5,114 during the same period.
A detailed breakdown of crop residue burning cases till April 22 shows:
- Madhya Pradesh: 22,475
- Uttar Pradesh: 9,952
- Haryana: 108
- Punjab: 88
- Delhi: 7
- Total: 32,630
This data emphasizes the urgent need for targeted interventions in high-incidence regions to mitigate the environmental and health impacts of stubble burning.
