Farm fire cases may see spike in coming weeks, say experts

While the agencies concerned have started registering cases against farm fire incidents occurring across the state, the district has recorded 18 cases of farm fires this year so far. As compared to the past two years, the cases are low.

At the same time, experts at the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) suggest that the next 15-20 days were crucial when the state would see a spike in cases of farm fires from all corners.

As per data available with the PPCB, in 2023, 53 farm fires were reported from the district on October 30 while in 2024, it was nil on the specific day. However, one case of farm fire was reported from the district on Thursday.

At the same time, from September 15-October 30 in 2023, a total of 277 incidents of farm fires were reported from the district while these came down to 48 in 2024 in the period. But this year, there are only 18 cases of farm fires in the district till date.

Nodal Officer Amritpal Singh said as compared to the past two years, less number of farm fires were reported from the district.

“The harvesting starts late here. At the same time, the next 15-20 days would be crucial when more incidents of farm fires will be reported from all over and there could be a spike in the cases. But we are monitoring the issue carefully and are strict on the same,” he said.

In 2023, till October 30, 6,284 farm fires were reported in the state while in 2024, the figure came down to 2,466 and this year, the number has further declined to 1,418.

One of the farmers, Surdul Singh, from Lalton, said many farmers resist burning stubble openly due to repercussions of registration of FIRs. “But the government should provide easy and viable ways to get away with the stubble to curb the menace,” he said.