27 September 2024, Punjab: The Punjab Remote Sensing Centre has reported a concerning uptick in stubble burning incidents, with 98 cases recorded so far this season. The data highlights a significant decline in fire events over the past few years, yet the current numbers indicate a need for continued vigilance and action.
In 2021, Punjab witnessed a staggering 71,304 fire events, which dropped to 49,922 in 2022 and further decreased to 36,663 in 2023. However, the recent satellite monitoring indicates that five incidents were detected in the state on September 26, 2024. This uptick has prompted the Ministry of Agriculture to express hopes of controlling the number of incidents this year, and the cabinet is constantly monitoring the situation. However, the department of agriculture expects the incidence numbers to be less than last year as a lot of machinery and equipment through crop residue management scheme disbursement has reached the farmers.
The central government has planned a total investment of 1,000 crores for the current financial year under the crop residue management scheme. Punjab, Haryana, Uttar Pradesh were part of the scheme since 2018 and now even Madhya Pradesh has been added with a budget allocation of 83.33 crores to start with in the current fiscal year.
The majority of stubble burning occurs in just nine districts of Punjab: Sangrur, Moga, Firozpur, Ludhiana, Patiala, Muktsar, Bathinda, Barnala, and Taran Tarn. In neighboring Haryana, the situation mirrors Punjab’s, with 70% of incidents last year concentrated in the districts of Fatehabad, Kaithal, Jind, Karnal, Kurukshetra, and Sirsa. However, Punjab over all contributes 85% to the total burning events.
The issue of stubble burning has been a pressing environmental concern, contributing to air pollution and the loss of essential nutrients and soil micro-organisms. To combat this problem, the Punjab government, along with Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, launched a crop residue burning scheme in 2018. Recently, Madhya Pradesh has also been included in the initiative.
Key Components of the Crop Residue Burning Scheme:
Financial Assistance: Farmers can receive 50% financial aid for the purchase of Crop Residue Management (CRM) machines.
Community Hiring Centers (CHCs): Establishment costs for CHCs are subsidized by 80%.
Paddy Straw Supply Chain Projects: A 65% subsidy is available, with a project ceiling of ₹1.50 crore.
Bio-Decomposer Demonstrations: Financial support for large-scale demonstrations of bio-decomposers.
Awareness Campaigns: Funds allocated to the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and state governments for information, education, and communication (IEC) activities.
The scheme promotes various machines, including the Super Straw Management System, Happy Seeder, and hydraulic reversible MB plough, among others. These tools are designed to help farmers manage crop residues more effectively and sustainably, aiming to reduce the reliance on burning practices that harm the environment.
As Punjab and its neighboring states continue to grapple with the challenges of stubble burning, the implementation of these initiatives is crucial for protecting air quality and promoting sustainable agricultural practices.
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