Punjab records highest single-day spike in farm fires this season
The state reported 292 stubble-burning incidents on Saturday, bringing the cumulative total to 1,339 cases.
Punjab saw its largest single-day increase in stubble-burning incidents this season on Saturday, when 292 farm fires were reported, according to The Tribune. This surge brings the cumulative count for the season to 1,339 cases.
The Tribune reported that Tarn Taran led the daily count on Saturday with 50 fires, followed by Ferozepur with 36 and Sangrur with 32. District-wise, Tarn Taran has recorded 455 total incidents so far, while Amritsar, Ferozepur, Gurdaspur and Kapurthala follow with 187, 141, 95 and 84 incidents respectively.
Experts told The Tribune that early harvesting of paddy in Tarn Taran and Amritsar contributed to the spike. Many farmers in these areas also grow vegetables and burn residue to prepare fields for the next crop.
Authorities have taken enforcement actions, including registering 246 FIRs against farmers and making red entries in the revenue records of 297 farmers. Additionally, 426 show-cause notices have been issued to nodal and supervisory officers.
Environmental compensation exceeding Rs 17 lakh has been imposed on erring farmers, with nearly Rs 13 lakh recovered. Government data shows that more than 65 per cent of the paddy cultivated over 32 lakh hectares in Punjab has been harvested.