Punjab: Incidents of farm fires increased, record 587 cases reported in one day
Punjab: The state reported 587 farm fire incidents on the first day of the month, the highest in a single day so far. Pollution further worsened as firecrackers were burst during Diwali celebrations on Friday and a dangerous cocktail of smoke further deteriorated the air quality. The air quality of the holy city of Amritsar turned ‘very poor’ as the AQI touched 352. An expert from the Punjab Pollution Control Board said that incidents of farm fires are likely to increase in the coming days as the crucial period for wheat sowing- November 1 to 15- begins today. Farmers may set fire to the residue of the previous crop to clear their fields for wheat sowing. Slow procurement of paddy crop is also being blamed for the rise in stubble burning incidents. The sluggish pace of paddy procurement led farmers to delay harvesting their crop till the last week of October.
With the wheat sowing season starting, farmers are burning fresh paddy residue with high moisture. Of the 3,537 incidents reported so far in the state, 1,071 have been reported in the last two days. On Thursday, 484 incidents of stubble burning were reported. Sangrur reported 79 incidents of stubble burning for the second consecutive day, while Ferozepur reported 70, Tarn Taran 59, Mansa 47, Kapurthala 43 and Patiala and Amritsar 40 each. Punjab Pollution Control Board chairman Adarshpal Singh Wig said the first fortnight is considered crucial for wheat sowing. He said department officials have been directed to encourage farmers for in-situ and ex-situ management of paddy residue. The first increase in stubble burning incidents was first seen in the second week of October, when the state reported 177 cases on October 12, followed by 173 on October 15 and 163 on October 13. Besides, 219 incidents of stubble burning were reported on October 29 and 110 on October 30. The rise in stubble burning incidents was observed at a time when the police and other enforcement agencies were either on leave or busy maintaining law and order in view of Diwali.
