Ludhiana district reports 55% decrease in stubble burning this year

LUDHIANA: As paddy harvesting season is almost nearing an end, Ludhiana district has reported 55% fall in stubble burning incidents so far in 2022 as compared to corresponding period last year. But despite the overall fall, the district has been witnessing more than 100 cases per day.
According to satellite data of Punjab Remote Sensing Centre, provided by Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB), Ludhiana has reported 2,199 active fire events (kharif season) between September 15 and November 12 against 4,921 incidents last year.
Ludhiana was at number 10 spot among all districts in Punjab with Sangrur, Ferozepur and Bathinda bagging the top three spots with 5,127, 3,874 and 3,732 active fire events, respectively.
From just five stubble burning incidents on October 15, the cases increased to 105 on October 29. The number of such incidents increased to 296 on November 11 which was the highest in the ongoing paddy harvesting season. The data of active fires since November 1 indicates that such incidents had been more than 100 on eight out of 12 days.
Meanwhile, the data of active fire events (kharif season) till November since 2020 revealed that such incidents have been the lowest (till November 12) in 2022 and highest in 2021 (4,921 cases).
The agriculture department authorities said there are many reasons for such a positive change. Chief agriculture officer Amanjit Singh said they have been able to motivate a large number of farmers for in-situ incorporation of stubble. He said the areas in Hambran, Khanna and Payal have almost stopped stubble burning. There is some issues in Jagraon area where stubble burning cases have been reported.
The officer said balers on the ground have played a major role in ensuring that large number of farmers haven’t burnt stubble.
Many farmers confirmed that lesser number of farmers have burnt stubble as more companies have started picking up crop leftover as bales. “There were a number of balers in our area who made bales of stubble in the fields. That’s why, a large number of farmers didn’t burn stubble this time. Also some farmers have incorporated the stubble in the fields to increase fertility of land,” said Gurpreet Singh, a farmer from Hambran area.
The district administration said they would wait to see final results. Deputy commissioner Surabhi Malik said they have really pushed all officers to increase in-situ and ex-situ measures and launched a massive campaign against stubble burning. “Let us see what result we finally,” she said.