Seven districts of Malwa reeling under thick smog
BATHINDA : The Malwa region of Punjab is reeling under smog with seven districts of the region accounting for 39% of farm fires in the state.
Visibility on the national highway-7 (Bathinda-Patiala) and other state roads in the region remained poor for the second consecutive day on Friday as smoke emitted from rice fields where paddy stubble has been set on fire. Students were seen wearing masks to protect themselves from polluted air in the area.
According to the official data of the Ludhiana-based Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC), a total of 2,268 incidents of paddy stubble burning were recorded in all 22 districts on October 31 and 1,104 of these cases were reported from the districts of Bathinda, Ferozepur, Mansa, Fazilka, Faridkot, Muktsar and Moga.
Official data shows that between September 23 and October 31, a total of 22,137 farm fires were recorded across the state. The seven districts of Malwa contributed to 39% of these incidents.
As per PRSC’s figures, the farm fires between September 23 and October 31 were higher than the previous season when 17,646 cases were detected in all 22 districts.
On Thursday, Ferozepur reported the highest number of fires at 290 cases whereas from September 23 onwards this district located on the India-Pakistan border reported 2,559 instances of stubble burning.
Most part of the Malwa belt experienced hazy environmental conditions caused by smog on the second consecutive day on Friday.
Various farmer associations in the state have supported stubble burning pleading that paddy growers are not being suitably compensated for disposal of crop residue.
Agriculture department director Sutantar Kumar Airi told HT on Friday that district authorities have been instructed to lodge first information reports (FIRs) against the erring farmers.
“The state government made concerted efforts to sensitise farmers against ill-effects of the burning of crop waste. We feel sorry that a section of farmers and farmer unions defied rules and compromised public health. The state government has taken it seriously and strict legal action
will be taken against those vilating rules,” said Airi.
He said about 250 FIRs have been lodged in various districts and environment compensation will be recovered from the erring farmers.
District authorities have started issuing challans but recovery of environment compensation or fine is yet to begin.
Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) assistant environment engineer Ravideep Singla said serving and retired government employees will be liable for departmental action if stubble burning is reported on their land.
Prof VK Garg of the department of environmental science and technology of Bathindabased Central University of Punjab said the ongoing climatic condition is prone to respiratory problems among the elderly, children and asthmatic patients.
“The current situation will subside considerably after rains or winds,” he adds.