Punjab and Haryana Implement Plans to Eliminate Paddy Stubble Burning in Kharif 2024

These squads will monitor the situation at the ground level, coordinating with district authorities and reporting daily updates to both the CAQM and CPCB.

In an effort to combat the long-standing issue of paddy stubble burning during the Kharif season, the governments of Punjab and Haryana have formulated comprehensive action plans under the direction of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). These measures aim to eliminate stubble burning incidents in 2024 and address the severe air pollution caused by this practice.

As part of these initiatives, the Flying Squads of the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) have been deployed in hotspot districts of Punjab and Haryana from October 1, 2024, to November 30, 2024, where stubble burning traditionally occurs at higher rates. These squads will work closely with local authorities and state-appointed nodal officers to ensure effective monitoring and action.

In Punjab, Flying Squads have been assigned to 16 districts: Amritsar, Barnala, Bathinda, Faridkot, Fatehgarh Sahib, Fazilka, Firozpur, Jalandhar, Kapurthala, Ludhiana, Mansa, Moga, Muktsar, Patiala, Sangrur, and Tarn Taran. In Haryana, 10 districts have been targeted, including Ambala, Fatehabad, Hisar, Jind, Kaithal, Karnal, Kurukshetra, Sirsa, Sonipat, and Yamunanagar.

These squads will monitor the situation at the ground level, coordinating with district authorities and reporting daily updates to both the CAQM and CPCB. Their efforts are aimed at preventing incidents of stubble burning and ensuring strict enforcement of policies.

Additionally, the CAQM will establish a “Paddy Stubble Management” Cell in Mohali/Chandigarh during the paddy-harvesting season. This cell will facilitate close collaboration between the Agriculture Departments of Punjab and Haryana, other relevant state agencies, and the Flying Squads to strengthen efforts against stubble burning.

This comprehensive, multi-agency effort reflects the increased commitment to addressing air pollution by targeting the root causes of stubble burning, a major environmental issue affecting air quality across the region.