Haryana sees 97% decline in stubble burning cases this year

In a remarkable turnaround, Haryana has witnessed a 97 per cent decline in stubble burning incidents between September 15 and October 13 this year compared to the same period last year.

The year-wise data shows the steep fall in stubble burning cases:

| Year | 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 |

| Total cases | 527 | 389 | 102 | 374 | 468 | 16 |

According to the Agriculture Department, only 16 active fire locations have been detected till October 13, against 468 cases reported during the corresponding period in 2024.

Significantly, 14 districts have reported zero cases, including Hisar, Ambala, Bhiwani, Gurugram, Sirsa, Rohtak, and Yamunanagar. Jind district recorded the highest number of cases this season at five.

Districts that had previously seen a high number of incidents, such as Kaithal and Karnal, have reported just one case each this year, a sharp fall from 75 and 71 cases, respectively, recorded last year.

Officials attributed the drastic reduction to strict enforcement following the Supreme Court’s directives and the state government’s tough stance against offenders. “The government has been dealing strictly with violators by registering FIRs,” said an Agriculture Department official.

Preparations for crop residue management began on September 1, with the appointment of 8,603 nodal officers across the state — one for every 50 farmers in Yellow Zone villages and one for every 100 farmers in Green Zone villages.

To strengthen ground-level monitoring, village committees comprising Patwaris, Assistant Agriculture Officers, Panches and Sarpanches were formed to conduct awareness campaigns and discourage stubble burning.

The official further said subsidies ranging from 50% to 65% on crop residue management machinery have played a crucial role in reducing the practice.

Dr Rajbir Singh, Deputy Director of the Agriculture Department, said, “So far, no cases have been reported from Hisar.”