Punjab is grappling with an alarming surge in farm fires, pushing the state’s air quality to hazardous levels. As stubble burning incidents cross 7,000 on Monday, the resultant pollution is severely impacting the environment and public health. On Monday alone, 418 new cases of farm fires were reported from across the state, with Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann’s home district, Sangrur, recording the highest number of 103 incidents. The air quality across the region has rapidly deteriorated, with many areas now facing ‘poor’ air quality, while Chandigarh has been classified under the ‘very poor’ category.
From September 15 to November 11, a total of 7,029 stubble-burning incidents have been documented in Punjab, as per the figures shared by the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre. The sharp rise in farm fires, particularly since November 3, has raised significant concerns, with many districts like Ferozepur, Muktsar, and Moga contributing heavily to the problem. Punjab's ongoing struggle with air pollution is not only a result of farm fires but also the combined impact of vehicle emissions, industrial pollutants, and construction activities.
As per the data available, maximum 103 incidences were reported in Sangrur, followed by 72 in Ferozepur, 46 in Muktsar, 40 in Moga, 37 in Mansa, 29 in Faridkot and 24 in Bathinda. On the other hand, Gurdaspur and SBS Nagar districts witnessed the lowest number of farm fires at one each.
The air quality index (AQI) in several parts of Punjab is now in the ‘poor’ range, with Chandigarh’s AQI plunging into the ‘very poor’ zone. The city recorded a hazardous AQI of 331 at 7 pm, according to the Central Pollution Control Board’s Sameer App. Other parts of Punjab, such as Mandi Gobindgarh at 245, Jalandhar 222, Amritsar 213, and Ludhiana and Patiala with 203 each grappling with elevated AQI levels that are far above the safe limit.
One of the major drivers of this rise in pollution is the post-harvest practice of burning stubble. The short window before the Rabi crop season forces many farmers to clear their fields quickly, leading to widespread stubble burning. While this provides an immediate solution for farmers, it is devastating for the environment. The practice significantly contributed to the concentration of particulate matter, especially PM2.5, which has reached 84 µg/m³ in Punjab — which is 5.6 times the World Health Organization’s recommended threshold.
As Punjab enters the winter months, air quality is expected to worsen. Experts caution that both outdoor and indoor air pollution pose significant health risks. To mitigate exposure, residents are advised to wear N95 masks when outdoors and to avoid using personal vehicles in favour of public transport or carpooling. At home, experts recommend using air purifiers and ensuring proper ventilation only when the air quality improves.
