Drones to keep an eye on stubble burning in Panipat

Following the directions of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), the district administration has decided to deploy drones to keep vigil against the burning of crop residue.

The technology-based real-time monitoring of stubble burning incidents will begin in the district from September and continue till paddy harvesting is complete.

According to information, various varieties of paddy are being sown on 2,70,000 acres in the district this year and the harvesting would begin late September. The district has witnessed a consistent decline in the stubble burning cases during the kharif season. According to the Agriculture & Farmers Welfare Department, 17 cases of farm fires were reported in 2024, while only two cases were reported in 2025.

Devender Kuhar, Sub-divisional Officer (SDO) in Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare Department, said the harvesting of early varieties, including 1509 and high yielding variety, begins from September end or October first week, while the harvesting of the late varieties starts in November.

“We have been making a microplan to keep tabs on the stubble burning incidents in the district. Teams would visit schools to make students of Classes VIII to XII aware about the ill-effects of stubble burning. Besides, meetings would be held with village sarpanches, panchayat members and village panchayat secretaries; display boards would be installed at prominent places and pamphlets would be distributed among farmers to spread awareness,” the SDO said.

Efforts would be made to ensure the availability of bailers during the harvesting season, Kuhar said, adding that farmers as well as machinery owners will have to submit an affidavit that no stubble burning took place in his field.

Though stubble burning cases have reportedly come down, farm fires are likely during the harvesting of the late variety of paddy, as farmers try to clear their fields as quickly as possible to sow wheat, Kuhar asserted. The late varieties of paddy are sown on around 40,000 acres in the district, he added.

Deputy Commissioner Harish Kumar Vashisht said the district administration is fully committed to improving air quality and protecting the environment. He added that the purpose of the drone surveillance system is not to punish farmers but to prevent pollution and provide a clean environment for future generations.

Drones will fly over sensitive areas from 3 pm to 9 pm and provide photographs, videos, GPS locations and other evidence of every fire incident to the departments concerned, ensuring immediate action against those responsible.

The DC appealed to farmers to avoid burning crop residue and make the best use of agricultural machinery and crop residue management techniques being provided by the government.

“If anyone deliberately burns stubble and harms the environment, strict action will be taken against them in accordance with the rules. The administration will work with full seriousness, in cooperation with farmers, to make Panipat pollution-free and clean,” he added.