Punjab Launches Aggressive Campaign to End Stubble Burning, Combines Education with Legal Action

Punjab Launches Aggressive Campaign to End Stubble Burning, Combines Education with Legal Action

In a determined effort to combat the environmental and health hazards posed by stubble burning, the Punjab Police, in collaboration with the Civil Administration, has rolled out a large-scale campaign aimed at educating farmers and taking strict legal action against those who continue to engage in the harmful practice. Special Director General of Police (Law and Order) Arpit Shukla, who has been appointed by DGP Gaurav Yadav as the Police Nodal Officer to oversee these efforts, emphasized the state’s commitment to reducing stubble burning cases to zero in compliance with the directives from the Supreme Court and the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM).

This multi-pronged initiative involves not only legal enforcement but also extensive outreach efforts to raise awareness among the farming community about the long-term damage caused by stubble burning. The Punjab Police and Civil Administration have been tirelessly working at the grassroots level, conducting joint tours in villages identified as stubble burning hotspots and organizing public awareness meetings. Senior officers, including Deputy Commissioners (DCs), Senior Superintendents of Police (SSPs), Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs), and Deputy Superintendents of Police (DSPs), are actively engaging with farmers to educate them on the environmental, agricultural, and health repercussions of stubble burning.

In the last few days alone, over 500 joint tours by DCs and SSPs and nearly 1,000 by SDMs and DSPs have been conducted, resulting in over 2,500 public awareness meetings across the state. Meetings with various farmer unions have also played a significant role, with nearly 2,500 such gatherings taking place to foster cooperation between the administration and the farming community.

While education remains a central pillar of the campaign, legal action is being taken against those who persist in setting fire to crop residue. Special DGP Arpit Shukla revealed that satellite surveillance has detected 1,393 instances of farm fires in the state so far. Joint teams were dispatched for on-the-spot inspections, leading to the registration of FIRs in 874 cases, with no evidence of stubble burning found at 471 locations. In cases where no FIRs were filed, Daily Diary Report (DDR) entries were made in the relevant police stations as part of the official record.

The campaign has not been limited to just filing FIRs. Penalties amounting to ₹10.55 lakh have been imposed on offenders in 397 cases, and red entries have been made in the revenue records of 394 farmers, ensuring that the consequences of stubble burning extend beyond legal repercussions to financial and reputational damage.

Police teams, in conjunction with local authorities, are continuing to monitor stubble burning incidents across the state. Additional patrolling parties and flying squads have been deployed based on the size and area of each police station to ensure a close watch on the situation. These measures are being taken to guarantee that the efforts against stubble burning are not just reactive but proactive.

Special DGP Shukla has urged farmers to act responsibly and avoid setting fire to crop residue, which has severe implications for the environment, including worsening air quality and the depletion of soil nutrients. The practice also poses serious health risks, particularly for children and the elderly, who are more vulnerable to the effects of air pollution. Shukla stressed that a collective effort is required to end stubble burning, highlighting that the state’s goal is to foster an agricultural system that protects the environment while ensuring sustainable livelihoods for farmers.

With the combination of awareness initiatives and stringent legal measures, the Punjab government is making significant strides toward curbing stubble burning. The goal is to create an agricultural environment where such destructive practices are a thing of the past, ultimately benefiting both the environment and public health.

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