Haryana registers 68% drop in farm fires

Tribune News Service

Karnal, October 15

There is a 68 per cent drop in farm fires across the state. As per the data of the Agriculture Department based on satellite information, the state witnessed 487 active fire locations across the state in a month (from September 14 to October 14) this season. The number was 1,569 last year in these days.

Active fire locations*

487 in 2021

1,569 in 2020

*from Sept 14 to Oct 14

In a single day on Thursday, the state reported 98 cases, which was highest in the current season. It witnessed 95 active fire locations on October 10 and 91 on October 13.

Karnal district is leading the tally in farm fires across the state as it has witnessed 180 cases till today in comparison to 305 last year. Kurukshetra has reported 105 cases in the current season, Kaithal 103, Yamunanagar 22, Ambala 21, Fatehabad 20, Jind 15, Palwal 12, Sonepat five, said an official of the Agriculture Department.

The data also showed that in the current season, stubble burning cases had been reported comparatively late in comparison to the previous year. The first case was reported on September 28.

The authorities claimed to have issued fine to the farmers who violated the norms of the National Green Tribunal (NGT). “To comply with the directions of the NGT, we keep vigil on the fields and impose fine on the farmers who violate the norms,” said SK Arora, Regional Officer, Haryana State Pollution Control Board, Karnal.

“So far, the air quality is moderate and we appeal to farmers not to burn stubble in the fields. We, along with the Agriculture Department, have started a joint campaign to educate farmers by holding seminars,” he added.

Aditya Dabas, Deputy Director Agriculture (DDA), said the number of active farm fire incidents has reduced this season in comparison to the last season.

“We have identified almost all the active locations. So far, we have recovered Rs 1.45 lakh as fine from violators. Notices have been issued to farmers also,” he added.

Deputy Commissioner, Nishant Kumar Yadav, said that the total area under paddy cultivation is around 1.65 lakh hectares. Of which around 99,000 hectares are under non-basmati paddy. “To reduce stubble burning, we have imposed Section 144 from October 1,” said the DC.

He added that nodal officers have been deployed at village, block and sub-division level. As many as 166 active fire locations have been identified out of total 180 so far, he said.