547 cases of stubble-burning in Bathinda

Nikhila Pant Dhawan

Tribune News Service

Bathinda, May 12

The district administration and the Agriculture Department may be taking steps to spread awareness about the ills of stubble burning, but the Punjab Pollution Control Board has identified 547 cases of wheat stubble burning in Bathinda district alone. For Mansa and Muktsar districts, the numbers stand at 340 and 254, respectively.

The Punjab Pollution Control Board takes the help of satellite imaging for identification of sites where the stubble is set on fire. After getting the images of stubble burning through the remote sensing technique, a team is sent to the spot to ascertain the area of the land on which the stubble has been set afire.

Through the satellite images, the PPCB receives the longitude latitude coordinates of the site. It then sends a team to the spot for measuring the area since the amount of fine depends on the area. The team then prepares a report and submits the same with the office of the Sub-Divisional Magistrate from where it comes to the PPCB for taking further action. The site coordinates are also sent to the Revenue Department for providing ownership details.

As per the orders of the National Green Tribunal (NGT), the fine for stubble burning is Rs 2,500 for land holding of up to 2 acres, Rs 5,000 for land holdings between 2-5 acres and Rs 15,000 for land holdings of more than 5 acres. In the first instance that a farmer is caught burning stubble in his fields, a cash fine is imposed. In the second instance, stubble burning may invite legal action.

“We have clear directions from the state government to impose fine on farmers caught burning as burning wheat stubble is not the last resort for farmers as they have ample time to manage the residue before they sow paddy on June 20. In case of paddy stubble, the farmers resort to stubble burning as there have little time before wheat sowing begins,” explained Paramjit Singh, environment engineer, PPCB regional office, Bathinda.

Urging farmers to wean away from the practice of stubble burning, Singh said this time dedicated vans were sent to all the three districts to make the farmers aware of the harms of the practice. Information about alternative ways of managing stubble was disseminated through public announcement systems, pamphlets and posters in villages.

“Overall, cases of stubble burning have reduced by almost 55 per cent in the state as compared to last year. The awareness drives are proving to be beneficial,” he said.

35-40 per cent fall in incidents: DC

Mansa Deputy Commissioner Balwinder Dhaliwal has urged the farmers to stop burning stubble and has stated that there has been a 35-40 per cent fall in the incidents of burning stubble by farmers this season in Mansa. He has added that this time the Punjab Government has allocated a special fund to provide bailer, happy seeder, rotavator and other machinery which will be provided to a large area of agricultural land in the district. “The pollution emanating from the burning of paddy or wheat stubble is dangerous for the health of human beings and it should be stopped,” he said.