Nawanshahr reports 11 farm fire cases this season

Deputy Commissioner Ankurjeet Singh on Tuesday reviewed the situation regarding stubble burning incidents across the district.

Singh said of the 13 sites identified so far, 11 cases of stubble burning have been confirmed. Appropriate action has been taken in each of these cases after on-site verification, he added.

During a review meeting with officials from various departments, the DC highlighted the severe impact of the practice on the environment.

Officials informed him that, based on the data received from the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre, penalties amounting to Rs 70,000 have been imposed on violators.

FIRs have been registered in nine cases, while red entries have been made in land records in 11 instances.

The Deputy Commissioner said the harvesting of paddy has been almost completed in the district. The sowing of wheat has also been carried out in more than 60 percent of the total cultivated area.

In this season, the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre has reported 13 incidents of farm fires in the district, while 23 incidents were reported during the same period last year.

The district administration, Agriculture Department and the Punjab Pollution Control Board are jointly conducting awareness campaigns to educate farmers on managing crop residue in a sustainable manner.

Officials further mentioned that according to the directives of the Supreme Court, National Green Tribunal and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), a ‘Triple Action’ policy, including penalty, red entry and FIR registration is being implemented against farmers found burning crop residue.

Singh also appealed to all farmers to refrain from burning stubble and instead make use of the available crop residue management machinery for its eco-friendly disposal.