PPCB deploys over 10,000 field staff to counter farm fires

As farmers and the Punjab Government lock horns over FIRs on farm fires and the arrest of defaulting farmers, the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has deployed over 10,500 field functionaries at the ground level.

The officials have been briefed for hotspot identification and district-wise action plans, with extra police deployment in vulnerable areas. Last week, senior government officials were briefed about the steps that needed to be taken by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) at a meeting. Punjab has assured the CAQM of strict enforcement, including the imposition of environmental compensation, red entries and registration of FIRs under Section 223 of the BNS.

Till date, over 90 incidents of farm fires were reported by the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC), Ludhiana, following which in 47 cases environmental compensation was imposed with 49 FIRs and 32 red entries against the violators. Meanwhile, farmer unions are up in arms against action against farmers and have threatened to “hold protests”.

A senior PPCB official confirmed that the primary focus was to to save air quality. “Over 1.48 lakh crop residue management (CRM) machines have been provided in the past six years, with 12,500 additional machines being supplied this year.

Eco-friendly plan for paddy straw management unveiled

Chandigarh: The Punjab Government has unveiled an ambitious information, education and communication (IEC) plan for crop residue management, said Agriculture Minister Gurmeet Singh Khudian.

He said the extensive campaign aimed to cover the state, directly engaging communities, students and farmers to drive a behavioural shift towards eco-friendly practices.

The department will deploy 50 dedicated publicity vans to broadcast informative messages. Additionally, 444 “nukkad nataks” (street plays) will be organised to communicate the message.

Further, 12,500 informative wall paintings will be created across the state to highlight the benefits of the CRM and the ill-effects of paddy straw burning.