Personal contact programmes effective in discouraging stubble burning: Officials

The district administration is sensitising farmers to the hazards stubble burning by organising meetings and workshops. Officials claim these methods of spreading awareness are yielding better results than other conventional methods.

Government personnel, led by ADC (D) Sukhpreet Singh Sidhu and SDM Gurmit Bansal, have started organising interactive sessions with villagers, especially in areas that are categorised as ‘hotspots’ for stubble burning.

Appreciating the response received from revenue officials, lambardars and elected members of panchayats in persuading farmers to shun stubble burning, ADC Sidhu said all stakeholders had now comprehended that disposal of agricultural wastes according to the guidelines of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) was beneficial for all.

“Even though the conventional campaign launched against stubble burning, under the supervision of Deputy Commissioner Viraj S Tidkey, had produced the desired results, we have advised the officials concerned, lambardars and

elected members of panchayats to undertake personal contact programmes by organising nukad

meetings in their respective localities,” said

Sidhu.

Sidhu added that farmers found it more convenient to comprehend concepts associated with in-situ and ex-situ techniques of paddy management and the resultant decline in environmental, soil and water pollution.

A majority of the farmers showed an inclination to availing facilities required for eco-friendly disposal of stubble during the small meetings held at village levels, claimed the government officials.