Agri Dept to start drive against stubble-burning

Tribune News Service

Ludhiana, September 15

To make farmers aware of hazardous effects of paddy stubble-burning, Deputy Commissioner Varinder Kumar Sharma on Wednesday directed the Agriculture Department to start a village-level intensive drive to create awareness among the farmers on the sensitive issue.

The Deputy Commissioner said the farmers must be made aware of ill-effects of paddy stubble-burning which poses a serious risk to the health of individuals. They should also be sensitised about the damage caused to the soil and the environment due to the menace.

He said progressive farmers of several villages had set an example by efficaciously using paddy stubble as organic manure, besides fodder for cattle, and they must be honoured in such events so that others could follow and start shunning the practice.

Sharma said village-level meetings should be organised daily to motivate the farmers to shun the practice.

He said: “Those farmers who are indulging in this practice are in reality sowing thorns for the coming generations by gifting them a polluted atmosphere.”