Punjab Reports Record Surge in Farm Fires Amid Wheat Harvesting Season
At 644, Punjab logs highest single-day jump in farm fires
Hindustan Times
Image: Hindustan Times
Punjab, India, recorded a staggering 644 farm fire incidents in a single day, bringing the total to 2,403 since April 15. This marks a significant increase compared to previous years, with experts warning of detrimental effects on soil health due to stubble burning practices.
- 01Punjab recorded 644 farm fire incidents in one day, the highest this season.
- 02Total farm fires in Punjab reached 2,403 from April 15 to May 2, more than double last year's figures.
- 03Sangrur district reported the highest incidents with 285 cases.
- 04Experts warn that stubble burning harms soil health and fertility.
- 05Declining demand for fodder has contributed to increased stubble burning.
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On Saturday, Punjab, India, experienced a record surge in farm fires, logging 644 incidents in a single day, which pushed the total to 2,403 between April 15 and May 2. This figure is more than double the incidents reported during the same period last year. The Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI) data indicates that Sangrur district has the highest number of cases at 285, followed closely by Ferozepur with 275 incidents. In comparison, neighboring Haryana reported 2,185 farm fires this season. The Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) has noted that over 2,000 of these cases occurred in just the last six days, coinciding with the peak of wheat harvesting. Experts, including SS Gosal, vice-chancellor of Punjab Agricultural University, have raised concerns about the adverse effects of stubble burning on soil health, urging farmers to adopt in-situ methods for stubble management. The decline in fodder demand has led to increased stubble burning, a practice that farmers previously avoided.
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The increase in farm fires could lead to long-term soil degradation, affecting agricultural productivity in Punjab.
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