Punjab Records Season’s Highest Spike in Stubble Burning with 147 Farm Fire Cases

Punjab Records Season’s Sharpest Surge in Farm Fires: 147 Cases in a Day.

Punjab on Monday witnessed the highest single-day rise of the season in stubble burning incidents, with 147 farm fires reported, according to data from the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB). The surge has taken the total number of crop residue burning cases in the state since September 15 to 890.

The spike comes despite repeated government appeals urging farmers to adopt eco-friendly alternatives to burning stubble. Tarn Taran and Amritsar districts recorded the maximum number of cases, reflecting persistent challenges in paddy-growing regions where the practice remains widespread.

Between October 20 and October 28, the number of farm fires jumped by over 500, rising from 353 to 890.

District-Wise Breakdown (as of October 28)

• Tarn Taran: 249 cases
• Amritsar: 169
• Ferozepur: 87
• Sangrur: 79
• Patiala: 46
• Gurdaspur: 41
• Bathinda: 38
• Kapurthala: 35
• Ludhiana: 9
• Malerkotla: 4

Hoshiarpur & SBS Nagar: 3 each

Pathankot & Rupnagar: No cases reported

Officials said the increase is linked to farmers hastening field preparation for Rabi sowing, especially wheat, after completing the paddy harvest in October. While stubble burning remains a quick method to clear fields, it continues to cause severe environmental and air quality issues across North India, particularly in the Delhi-NCR region during late October and November.

According to PPCB data, 31.72 lakh hectares of land in Punjab is under paddy cultivation this year, with nearly 60% harvested by October 26.

Authorities have stepped up enforcement measures — ₹19.80 lakh in fines have been imposed as environmental compensation in 386 cases, with ₹13.40 lakh recovered so far. Additionally, 302 FIRs have been registered under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita (BNS) for disobedience of official orders.