Punjab saw a significant surge in stubble-burning incidents over Diwali, with farm fire cases reaching new highs despite ongoing efforts to curb the practice. The state logged 587 stubble-burning incidents on Friday, marking the highest daily tally of the season, following 484 cases reported on Diwali, Thursday. These back-to-back spikes pushed the season’s cumulative total to 3,537 incidents as of November 1, a number that, while concerning, is notably the lowest at this point in the season over the past five years.
In a comparison of historical data, Punjab recorded a staggering 37,078 cases by November 1 in 2020, followed by 15,065 in 2021, 17,846 in 2022, and 9,594 in 2023. This year’s relatively lower count reflected a gradual decline, yet the numbers remain troubling in light of the state’s air quality crisis. Pollution control experts had anticipated a Diwali surge, cautioning that enforcement resources would be stretched thin due to the festive period, which may have contributed to the recent escalation.
Till Friday, Amritsar emerged as the district with the highest count, recording 569 incidents of stubble burning since September 15. Tarn Taran followed closely with 503 fires, while Sangrur and Ferozepur reported 427 and 421 cases, respectively. These four districts alone accounted for a substantial portion of the daily total, underscoring the persistence of residue burning in the state’s agricultural heartland.
According to daily district data, Sangrur led the Diwali tally with 89 fires, followed by Ferozepur at 65, Mansa at 40, and Fatehgarh Sahib at 36. Tarn Taran and Kapurthala each reported 35 cases, while Patiala registered 33. Amritsar, Bathinda, and Gurdaspur saw 29, 28, and 20 fires, respectively. This distribution indicated that stubble burning is not limited to a few hotspots but is widespread across Punjab’s agricultural zones.
The buildup to this sharp increase began in mid-October, with notable upticks recorded in successive days: 177 incidents on October 12, 173 on October 15, and 163 on October 13. By the end of October, the trend showed little sign of abating, as exemplified by the 219 incidents reported on October 29. Over the past 10 days alone, the state witnessed nearly 2,000 cases, suggesting that efforts to promote crop residue management have had limited success in the face of deep-seated agricultural practices and a lack of viable alternatives for farmers.
Pollution control officials are now bracing for further increases as Punjab approaches the prime wheat-sowing period, which spans from November 1 to November 15. Farmers, eager to clear their fields promptly, often resort to burning paddy residue to prepare for the next planting cycle. The Punjab Pollution Control Board has warned that with limited time for enforcement and rising fuel costs making mechanical alternatives less feasible, the state could see another spike before mid-November.
Despite the pressing need for solutions, Punjab’s air quality continued to deteriorate as stubble smoke contributes to hazardous AQI levels. The smoke from these fires not only impact local communities but also drifts into neighbouring states, exacerbating the air quality crisis across northern India. For instance, during peak stubble burning seasons, cities like Delhi experience sharp declines in air quality, raising public health concerns.
While state authorities have implemented awareness campaigns and encouraged mechanized solutions like the Super Straw Management System (SMS) and subsidized balers, the high cost and logistical challenges associated with these alternatives have limited their uptake. As pollution levels soar, the pressure is mounting on the state to find effective, scalable solutions that can ease the transition for farmers while protecting public health.
