Stubble burning: No action in sight

Manmeet Singh Gill

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, October 20

While the government had made tall claims to check burning of crop residue in the fields and warned of strict punishment against the violators, the proposed action is invisible on ground even as farm fires are occurring as usual.

The lack of implementation of rules related to burning of stubble is quite visible as the farmers are flouting the ban with impunity. While nearly half of the area under paddy crop has already been harvested, the administration is yet to take action against even a single farmer.

“If action is taken against the first violator, it would prove as a deterrent for those who would follow them. If action is taken against a few after every farm has been cleared of residue with fires, it would not have any effect even during the next year,” said a resident demanding that fires must be stopped.

This indifferent attitude towards the farm fires would further embolden other farmers who too would resort to burning of residue when they see no action against the ones who had burnt residue before them.

The administration is yet to take action against any violator even as there is no visible change in the scenario as compared to previous years. The burning of crop residue, apart from causing environmental pollution and degrading soil health, is also a cause of inconvenience for the commuters as smoke hinders visibility resulting in chances of road accidents.

A resident Shamsher Singh said: “The burning of crop residue in fields close to roads results in creating a smoke screen on the road as a result of which drivers cannot see the vehicles coming from the opposite side.” In the previous years, many accidents, especially involving two-wheelers, were reported due to low visibility caused by smoke.

Additionally, these fires also result in damaging the saplings and trees planted alongside the roads in rural areas. Many large trees can be spotted burnt at their base in rural areas. 

Smoke trouble for commuters in area

• The burning of crop residue, apart from causing environmental pollution and degrading soil health, also inconveniences commuters as smoke hinders their visibility and increases chances of road accidents
• These fires are also damaging saplings and trees planted alongside roads in the rural areas. Bases of many large trees can be seen burnt in the rural areas