World · India Bureau
Punjab records highest stubble-burning incidents on Diwali day
Punjab witnessed a sharp surge in crop residue burning on Diwali, with authorities documenting 1,152 cases in a single day. The spike has pushed the seasonal tally to 4,459 incidents as of early November.
LSN India ·
Punjab experienced its peak stubble-burning activity on November 8, coinciding with Diwali celebrations, as farmers across the state set fire to crop residue despite government restrictions and warnings about air quality impacts.
Authorities recorded 1,152 cases of agricultural burning on the festival day alone, marking the highest single-day count this season. The sharp increase brought the cumulative total for the ongoing harvest season to 4,459 cases across the state.
Tarn Taran emerged as the most severely affected district, accounting for 684 of the incidents, while Ferozepur followed with 592 reported cases. The concentration in these districts underscores the geographic disparities in compliance with anti-stubble burning measures.
The surge reflects the ongoing challenge Punjab faces in preventing crop residue burning, a practice many farmers resort to for clearing fields before the next planting season. Despite various government initiatives and incentives to promote alternative waste management methods, the practice continues to surge during peak agricultural periods, particularly around major festivals and holidays.