Punjab is grappling with a double whammy of farm fires and worsening air quality, while political disputes and the plight of farmers further complicate the situation. The border state on Monday reported a staggering 2,060 farm fires, marking a concerning figure in stubble-burning incidents, though down from a whopping 3230 incidences reported on Sunday.

The high number of incidents come as many parts of Punjab experienced air quality indices falling into the ‘poor’ category.

The relentless trend of farmers setting crop residues ablaze has propelled the number of stubble-burning incidents in Punjab to a daunting total of 19,463 as of Monday, according to data from the Ludhiana-based Punjab Remote Sensing Centre.

What's even more alarming is that from November 1 to November 6, a remarkable 61 percent of all stubble-burning incidents this season occurred. This data suggests a severe spike in the problem during these crucial days when the region's air quality was already struggling.

However, there is a silver lining in the data. The 19,463 stubble-burning incidents recorded from September 15 to November 6 show a notable 35 percent reduction compared to the 29,999 cases reported during the same period the previous year.

In the case of Punjab, which is often under scrutiny for its farm fire crisis, it’s essential to contextualize these statistics by considering historical data. In the same period of 2021, the state had reported a staggering 32,734 farm fires, indicating a substantial reduction in 2022.

Despite this positive development, Punjab is not out of the woods yet. The continuing issue of stubble burning significantly impacts air quality in the region and beyond, making it a matter of utmost concern.

Among the 2,060 stubble-burning incidents reported on Monday, Sangrur, once again, led the list with 509 cases. Following closely was Bathinda with 210 cases, Mansa with 195, Barnala with 189, Faridkot with 122, and Moga with 110. While these statistics reveal the current status, it is vital to consider the trajectory of improvement and sustained efforts to address the issue.

Out of the total of 19,463 farm fires reported this year, Sangrur continues to top the list with 3,207 stubble-burning incidents, followed by Ferozepur with 1,976 cases, Tarn Taran with 1,809, Mansa with 1,451, Amritsar with 1,439, Patiala with 1,350, and Bathinda with 1,086. This distribution underlines the need for focused action in areas with a higher incidence of stubble burning.

The impact of stubble burning is not restricted to Punjab alone. It has severe repercussions on air quality across the region, including neighboring states and even the national capital, Delhi. This issue, driven in part by the necessity to clear fields quickly after the paddy harvest and prepare them for the sowing of wheat, has posed an enduring environmental challenge.

Punjab’s extensive paddy cultivation results in the production of approximately 180-200 lakh tonnes of paddy straw each year, of which 120 lakh tonnes are managed in-situ (by mixing crop residue in fields) and around 30 lakh tonnes are handled ex-situ (using stubble as fuel).

While it is essential to address the issue at its source, the state’s measures to promote diversification in agriculture are a promising step in the right direction. The need for farmers to adopt alternative practices, reducing their reliance on stubble burning, is imperative.

The state recorded 49,922 fire events in 2022, 71,304 in 2021, 76,590 in 2020, 55,210 in 2019, and 50,590 in 2018, highlighting the cyclical nature of the challenge.

Despite the statistics and ongoing efforts, the battle against stubble burning is not over. The region must consistently work towards mitigating the issue and reducing its impact on air quality and public health.

Punjab’s “Poor” Air Quality

The Air Quality Index (AQI) in the city of Amritsar reached 329, signifying 'very poor' air quality conditions. Bathinda recorded an AQI of 297, while Ludhiana registered a reading of 283. Mandi Gobindgarh stood at 266, Jalandhar at 231, Khanna at 228, and Patiala at 220, all falling within the 'poor' to 'very poor' air quality range. Meanwhile, in the Union Territory of Chandigarh, which serves as the shared capital of both Punjab and Haryana, the AQI was measured at 149, representing 'moderate' air quality conditions — suggesting that the air quality, while better than several other areas, still warrants attention to safeguard public health.

The AQI, a standardized indicator used to assess air quality, takes into account various pollutants, including particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), ground-level ozone (O3), carbon monoxide (CO), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). It translates these pollutant concentrations into a numerical value, which is then categorized into six different levels, each associated with a distinct health concern. An AQI between zero and 50 is considered ‘good’, 51 and 100 ‘satisfactory’, 101 and 200 'moderate', 201 and 300 'poor', 301 and 400 'very poor', and 401 and 500 'severe'.

BJP maligning Punjab’s image: Finance Minister

Taking the opportunity to address the ongoing debate surrounding stubble burning, Punjab’s Finance Minister and senior Aam Aadmi Party’s leader Harpal Singh Cheema on Monday accused the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) of maligning Punjab’s image while calling it a “well-fabricated conspiracy”. Cheema pointed out that most stubble burning is happening in states like Haryana and Uttar Pradesh, which are governed by the BJP. He argued that these states should be held accountable for their actions and only then focus on Punjab.

Additionally, Minister Cheema highlighted the positive trend of declining stubble burning cases in Punjab, contrary to the rising numbers in Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, and other states. He emphasized that Punjab is “actively moving towards diversification in agriculture and is supporting farmers with subsidies to encourage the cultivation of different crops”. Supporting the viewpoint, AAP’s chief spokesperson Malvinder Singh Kang emphasized that Punjab’s smoke does not reach Delhi directly. He highlighted the other regions, including Haryana, Western UP, Rajasthan, and NCR, which contribute to the pollution levels.

“Punjab Chief Minister Bhagwant Mann has taken several steps to address the stubble burning problem and that farmers often feel compelled to resort to this practice due to a lack of alternatives.