Punjab Farm Fires Reach 174 This Season as 51 Fields Burn in a Dayਪੰਜਾਬ ਵਿੱਚ ਪਰਾਲੀ ਦੀ ਅੱਗ ਦੇ ਮਾਮਲੇ 174 ਉੱਤੇ ਪਹੁੰਚੇ, ਇੱਕ ਦਿਨ ਵਿੱਚ 51 ਘਟਨਾਵਾਂ

Punjab recorded 51 stubble-burning incidents in a single day, the highest daily count of this paddy harvesting season so far, taking the season's tally to 174 as farm fires rose nearly 70 per cent in a week, according to the latest report of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).

The cumulative count of 174 incidents, recorded up to October 13, is 48 higher than the corresponding period last year, when Punjab had logged 126 farm fires by the same date, according to figures provided by the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB). The state crossed the 100-incident mark on October 8.

Amritsar and Tarn Taran account for most fires

District-wise data shows Amritsar and Tarn Taran accounting for the bulk of the season's incidents. Amritsar has recorded 77 cases and Tarn Taran 61, a combined 138 of the state's 174. Ferozepur has reported eight incidents, followed by Gurdaspur and Muktsar with five each, and Moga, Patiala and Sangrur with three each.

Most incidents have been reported from districts where early-maturing paddy varieties are grown, while harvesting is yet to begin in several other districts. Barnala, Bathinda, Fatehgarh Sahib, Ludhiana, Mansa, Pathankot, Rupnagar and Malerkotla had reported no incidents as of October 13. Punjab Remote Sensing Centre data has shown the same pattern this week, with the two Majha districts far ahead of the rest of the state.

Fines, red entries and FIRs

Field inspections had been conducted in 121 of the 174 reported cases, and crop burning was physically verified at 48 sites. Environmental compensation was imposed in 44 cases, with Rs 2.30 lakh levied and Rs 1.15 lakh recovered so far. Officials have made 28 red entries in farm records and registered 16 FIRs under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, while 42 warning and show-cause notices have gone to nodal and supervisory officers.

Centre pushes evening monitoring and drones

The spike comes as Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav, chairing a joint review meeting on Tuesday, stressed ground monitoring after 3 pm, when farmers are believed to set fields ablaze to evade satellite detection. States have begun deploying drones for real-time monitoring of stubble burning for the first time this season, under a standard operating procedure the CAQM issued in July.

Stubble burning remains a major contributor to the winter smog that chokes Delhi and the National Capital Region. Punjab recorded 5,114 farm fires in the full season last year, down from 10,909 in 2024, and officials say the coming weeks, as harvesting peaks across the state, will decide whether this season stays on that downward path.

How many farm fires has Punjab recorded this season?

Punjab had recorded 174 stubble-burning incidents as of October 13, including 51 in a single day, the highest daily count of the season. The tally is 48 higher than the same period last year.

Which districts have the most stubble-burning cases?

Amritsar leads with 77 incidents, followed by Tarn Taran with 61. Together the two Majha districts account for 138 of the state's 174 cases, while eight districts have reported none so far.

What action is being taken against stubble burning?

Environmental compensation of Rs 2.30 lakh has been levied in 44 cases, 28 red entries made in farm records and 16 FIRs registered. Drones are being used for real-time monitoring for the first time this season.