SDG 13: Climate Action | SDG 15: Life on Land
Institutions: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change | Government of Haryana | Government of Punjab
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) held detailed review meetings with Punjab and Haryana on preparedness to prevent stubble burning during the upcoming paddy harvest season 2025. Senior officials, including District Magistrates and SSPs from 23 districts of Punjab and 22 districts of Haryana, presented action plans in compliance with Directions 90 and 92, which mandate strict in-situ and ex-situ crop residue management. State-specific instructions for Punjab and Haryana, were issued.
To strengthen enforcement, Flying Squads will be deployed in hotspot districts for real-time monitoring, supported by the CAQM Cell at Mohali. Both states committed to intensifying vigilance through the Parali Protection Force, ensuring timely supply of balers and crop residue machinery, and scaling up biomass co-firing in thermal power plants to reach the 5% target. Haryana has additionally mandated storage safeguards for paddy bales, farmer training, insurance provisions, and penalties for violators, alongside preventing open burning of municipal waste.
This directive underscores the governmentβs non-negotiable stance on eliminating stubble burning, a key driver of air pollution in the NCR. By combining deterrence (penalties, withdrawal of incentives) with support measures (CRM machinery, ex-situ utilisation, power sector integration), the policy seeks to build a self-sustaining ecosystem of crop residue management. It strengthens inter-state coordination and embeds long-term behavioural change among farmers.
What is stubble burning? β The practice of setting fire to crop residue (parali) after harvest to clear fields quickly. It is widespread in Punjab and Haryana and a major seasonal source of air pollution in North India.
What is Crop Residue Management (CRM)? β A mix of in-situ (mulching, decomposers, machinery) and ex-situ (collection, biomass use in power/industry) solutions to handle paddy straw without burning. It matters because it reduces pollution, preserves soil fertility, and creates value chains in energy and industry.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders:
Could integrating farmer incentives with strict enforcement help Punjab and Haryana achieve zero stubble burning and provide a replicable model for other crop-residue hotspots in India?
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