Haryana Sees Surge In Farm Fires: 468 Incidents Recorded In Just One Month

Haryana has reported a staggering 468 instances of farm fires from September 15 to October 14 this year, marking the highest number of incidents for this period since 2020. The data, compiled by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), highlights a concerning trend, with only 374 cases of stubble burning recorded during the same timeframe in 2023, along with 102 in 2022 and 389 in 2021.

District Breakdown

Among the districts, Kaithal reported the highest number of fires at 75, followed by Kurukshetra (71), Ambala (51), Karnal (50), Jind (42), Sonipat (36), Fatehabad (24), Panipat (22), Yamunanagar (20), Palwal (20), Faridabad (19), Hisar (11), Panchkula (10), and Rohtak (6).

The Annual Challenge of Stubble Burning

Stubble burning has become an annual occurrence, especially between September and November, as farmers in Haryana, Punjab, and Uttar Pradesh clear agricultural land for the next sowing season. The smoke generated from these fires, combined with emissions from vehicles and industries, leads to severe air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region, prompting authorities to enforce restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP).

On Monday, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) activated Stage 1 of GRAP, which includes restrictions on construction and demolition activities in Delhi, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh, banning the use of coal and firewood in tandoors, and enhancing mechanized street sweeping.

Experts Weigh In

While experts acknowledge that government efforts to mitigate farm fires are underway, they argue that more action is needed. The spike in incidents this year does not necessarily indicate a worse situation than last year, as factors such as harvest timings, access to machinery like seeders and mulchers, and crop types can influence outcomes.

Swagata Dey, a policy specialist on air quality at the Centre for Study of Science, Technology and Policy (CSTEP), noted, "There is a lot of paddy stubble to manage this year due to a bumper harvest. Although machines like Happy and super seeders can effectively address the issue, surveys reveal that they are not readily accessible to all farmers. Affluent farmers can access their own machines, while small and medium farmers often rely on community resources, causing delays that lead to stubble burning."

Additionally, the lack of rainfall in September and October has contributed to the rise in farm fires this year, unlike previous years. Hiren Jethva, a senior research scientist at NASA, provided insights on the situation, stating, "Post-monsoon seasonal fire predictions for October and November 2024 in northwest India indicate that we can expect 15,500 to 18,500 fire occurrences primarily due to standard burning practices."

Government Initiatives

According to government data, paddy was cultivated across 38.9 lakh acres in Haryana this year, generating an estimated 81 lakh tonnes of crop residue, much of which is susceptible to burning. An official from the agriculture department commented, "We are making efforts to reduce farm fire incidents and are working to provide subsidized machinery to farmers for effective crop waste management."

Data from previous years shows a gradual decrease in stubble-burning incidents; however, this decline is not yet sufficient to significantly improve air quality. In the 2023 kharif season, Haryana recorded 2,303 active fire locations, down from 3,661 in 2022 and 6,997 in 2021. Furthermore, on October 10, the CAQM authorized district administrations to file complaints against officials found negligent in combating stubble burning, emphasizing the urgency of the issue.

As Haryana grapples with this growing problem, continued efforts and innovative solutions will be vital in addressing the challenges posed by stubble burning and its impact on air quality.