Wheat chaff fire cases in Punjab 25% of last year

BATHINDA: The incidents of wheat stubble burning have drastically come down post wheat harvest season this year. As per the data compiled by Punjab Remote Sensing Centre, a total of 243 incidents of wheat straw burning have been reported from across the state so far, with 98 incidents reported on Wednesday.

Last year, 891 straw burning incidents were reported till May 6, with 325 in a day that day. In all, 2,246 burning incidents were reported till May 6 in 2018, while it was 4,797 in 2017 and 6,141fire incidents were reported till May in 6.
The wheat harvesting is almost over and in some areas, cotton sowing has already started. Even in paddy growing areas, the farmers are preparing fields without straw burning. The state government imposes fines and slaps cases on detection of straw burning.
Owing to Covid-19 pandemic, farmer body BKU Ekta Dakonda, BKU Ekta Ugrahan and some other organisations have urged farmers to desist from burning straw to stop spread of the virus and stop its probable loss to the farmers. Some restrictions in place on farm operations too have played a part in the dip in fire incidents, say agriculture department officials.
“We had urged farmers not to burn straw this time due to highly unfavourable conditions owing to spread of COVID-19, and much less burning incidents have been reported so far. We expect the situation to remain similar in the days to come, though some cases cannot be ruled out,” said BKU Dakonda state general secretary Jagmohan Singh.
Talking to TOI, Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) member Secretary Karunesh Garg said, “We have noticed behavioural changes among farmers to some extent. The farmers need to think about the consequences of burning straw on environment and human health and it seems they are giving heed to the collective efforts of various agencies. We expect this situation to persist for the better.”