In a move to curb stubble burning, authorities launched a large-scale awareness campaign on Saturday in Berasia’s villages, following instructions from Bhopal Collector Kaushalendra Vikram Singh.
The development came on a day The Pioneer advocated the need for community engagement to overcome the practice of stubble burning in rural areas bordering the state capital.
Officers from the Revenue Department and Berasia Janpad Panchayat engaged directly with farmers and villagers, explaining the environmental and agricultural harm caused by burning crop stubble after harvest.
They told farmers that the practice contributes significantly to air pollution and depletes soil fertility by destroying vital organic elements in the topsoil, leading to long-term damage.
Officials also shared details of the government’s ban on stubble burning and urged farmers to adopt rotavators and other sustainable methods to reintegrate stubble into the soil.
Earlier, a Google Meet briefing was held for tehsil and panchayat staff, instructing them to organise village-level meetings to raise awareness and explain official directives to local farmers.
The government has introduced penalties for violations: Rs 2,500 for farms under 2 acres, Rs 5,000 for those between 2 and 5 acres, and Rs 15,000 for larger holdings.