Malwa region drives surge in Punjab stubble burning incidents
The state recorded 440 new farm fires in 24 hours, bringing the cumulative count since September 15 to 2,787.
The Malwa region has become a primary contributor to the rise in stubble burning in Punjab as paddy harvesting reaches 87 per cent, according to a Hindustan Times report.
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) reported 440 new fire incidents in the last 24 hours on Thursday. This brings the total number of farm fires in the state since September 15 to 2,787.
Sangrur, Bathinda and Patiala recorded the most recent incidents with 77, 49 and 46 cases respectively. Ferozepur and Barnala also reported 45 and 33 fresh fires, with all five districts located in the Malwa belt.
Tarn Taran in the Majha region remains the worst-affected district with 586 total incidents. In Malwa, Sangrur's cumulative count has reached 240, while Bathinda has 216 and Patiala has 156.
The current total is 146 cases fewer than the 2,933 incidents recorded during the same period last year. This follows a single-day peak of 584 fires on November 3.
Authorities have registered 710 FIRs and imposed environmental compensation in 914 cases. Of the ₹46.10 lakh in compensation imposed, ₹24.85 lakh has been recovered, while 829 red entries have been made in revenue records.