Government to act against farmers burning straw

Tribune News Service

Amritsar, March 26

Farmers will face strict action for straw burning after harvesting of wheat crop as government has planned to take satellite pictures of burning fields to identify those indulging in practice.

The Agriculture Department got instructions from the government to make farmers aware about recommendations of the National Green Tribunal (NGT). According to information, the government will impose a penalty from Rs 2,500 to 15,000 for burning straw in fields.

The NGT and the Supreme Court have been pressing governments to take strict action against violators.

Political parties did not want to take risk to mess with farmers by taking action against them for burning straw. The NGT seems quite concerned with the rising pollution level in Punjab and northern states due to stubble burning.

It is common practice among farmers to burn the crop residue instead of ploughing it in fields.

Agriculture experts warned that farmers’ practice of stubble burning not only pollutes the environment, but is also harmful for soil health. Heat generated by burning paddy straw kills useful microbes leading to poor soil health and loss of its fertility.

Dalbir Singh Chinna, chief agriculture officer, said, “We have received direction that the government will keep a vigil on the practice of straw burning. The government will take strict action and register police cases against farmers. We are now conducting camps in villages to make farmers aware about ill effects of stubble burning.

The Agriculture Department and Punjab Agricultural University have suggested several alternatives, including happy seeder, for sowing wheat in paddy stubble.

Baler helps in easy collection of loose paddy straw, which can later be used in several ways like composting, energy generation and mushroom cultivation. Farmers have been demanding viable alternative mechanism to stop the practice.