Jalandhar farm fire cases dip by 34%, Kapurthala 56%

As the paddy harvest season is set to be over soon, 190 stubble fires have been reported in Doaba, which was 359 in the corresponding period last year. Both Jalandhar and Kapurthala have witnessed 164 farm fires, a significant decrease this year. Last year, the figure was 324 by November 6.

With a 56 per cent decline in stubble fires, the Kapurthala district stubble fires have halved compared to last year. Meanwhile, Jalandhar has witnessed a 34 per cent decrease in stubble fires.

Of the total 190 stubble fires in Doaba, 164 cases have been reported in Jalandhar and Kapurthala alone this harvest season so far, of which 111 have been reported in Kapurthala and 53 in Jalandhar. Last year, Kapurthala had witnessed 249 cases while Jalandhar 75.

In Jalandhar, 40 FIRs have been registered against farmers setting paddy stubble on fire.

Meanwhile, in 15 cases in Hoshiarpur and 11 in Nawanshahr have been reported his season.

With six stubble fires reported in Jalandhar today and one in Kapurthala, there has also been a marginal improvement in the air quality of the region. Jalandhar witnessed decreased AQI levels, especially after the brief rainy spell on Tuesday evening. On Thursday, Jalandhar district registered the maximum AQI of 301, average of 172 and minimum AQI of 76. The maximum AQI though, continues to touch very poor levels.

In Jalandhar, the maximum single-day stubble fires reported on any day hasn't surpassed six. However, in Kapurthala, most stubble fires were witnessed between October 29 and November 2 (58 fires), with 22 stubble fires reporting on November 1 and 12 reporting, each on October 29, 31 and November 2.

Meanwhile, another good news for the region is that the harvest season has almost ended with 95 per cent paddy harvesting completed in Jalandhar and 99 per cent in Kapurthala.

Jaswinder Singh, District Agricultural Officer, Jalandhar, said, "We have had a 34 per cent decline in stubble fires this year. With hectic monitoring and awareness drives, there has been a significant awareness among farmers. Our teams continue to monitor the situation diligently."

Apart from 40 FIRs, environmental compensation has also been imposed on 40 farmers in Jalandhar worth Rs 2 lakh of which Rs 65,000 has been recovered. As many as 40 red entries have been made and 33 warning notices issued in Jalandhar.

Chief Agricultural Officer, Kapurthala, HPS Bharaut said, "Farm fires in Kapurthala have been brought down by 56 per cent this year through relentless awareness campaigns and IEC activities. Teams of the department are carrying out drives to spread awareness on the issue among farmers through wall paintings, awareness vans and camps, nukkad nataks, etc. As many as 5,400 crop residue (management) machines have also been given to farmers under subsidies which include happy seeders, smart seeders, mulchers, rotavators, RMB pro, Baler & Raker units, zero-till drills, etc. The parali protection force is also on job to spread awareness."