Stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh since 2016

Stubble burning is the agricultural practice of setting fire to crop residue, mainly paddy stubble, after harvesting. It is primarily observed in Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh (UP), where paddy–wheat crop rotation dominates. Since 2016, the issue has gained national attention due to its contribution to severe air pollution episodes across North India, particularly in the Delhi–NCR region, and its environmental and health impacts.

Background and Context

The practice of stubble burning emerged from the need to clear agricultural fields quickly for the sowing of wheat after the paddy harvest. Mechanised harvesting leaves behind stubble that is difficult to remove manually, and burning offers a cheap, rapid solution. However, this method releases large quantities of particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10), carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxides, and greenhouse gases, worsening regional air quality and contributing to climate change.
Since 2016, government agencies, courts, and environmental bodies have introduced several policies, technologies, and awareness campaigns to mitigate the problem. Despite this, stubble burning continues seasonally, albeit with fluctuating intensity across the years.

Trends Since 2016

From 2016 onwards, satellite and ground-based monitoring data indicate that the number of stubble-burning incidents has shown periods of both increase and decline, depending on enforcement measures, weather conditions, and the availability of residue management technology.
Punjab:

• Punjab has consistently recorded the highest number of farm fires among the three states.
• Between 2016 and 2019, the state witnessed rising incidents due to expansion of mechanised harvesting and limited access to stubble management equipment.
• 2020 marked one of the peak years, with over 75,000 fire incidents recorded across the state.
• From 2021 onwards, the number of farm fires began to decline gradually, owing to stricter enforcement, introduction of the Super Straw Management System (Super-SMS) mandate, and government subsidies for residue management machinery.
• However, complete elimination remains unachieved, with high-fire districts such as Sangrur, Bathinda, Mansa, and Patiala continuing to report large-scale burning during October–November each year.

Haryana:

• Haryana contributes fewer total incidents than Punjab but still remains a significant source of emissions.
• The state showed modest improvements between 2018 and 2022, with declining annual totals due to enhanced monitoring and better machinery distribution.
• Northern and western districts like Fatehabad, Kaithal, and Karnal account for the majority of fire events.
• Enforcement mechanisms and farmer awareness drives under the Crop Residue Management Programme have led to localised success, though sporadic increases still occur in some seasons.

Uttar Pradesh:

• Uttar Pradesh’s share in total stubble-burning cases has risen in recent years, particularly in the western region, which mirrors the agricultural pattern of Punjab and Haryana.
• While UP’s overall burned area is smaller relative to its total agricultural land, recent trends indicate that farm fire incidents have overtaken or equalled Punjab’s figures in some early-season assessments.
• The state faces greater challenges in monitoring and control due to its larger geographical spread and diverse cropping patterns.

Causes and Contributing Factors

The persistence of stubble burning arises from a combination of economic, structural, and logistical factors:

1. Narrow Sowing Window: Farmers have a short period (10–20 days) between paddy harvest and wheat sowing, prompting quick field clearance.
2. Cost of Alternatives: Machinery for straw management (e.g., Happy Seeder, Super-SMS, Rotavator) can be expensive, and hiring charges may burden small farmers.
3. Labour Shortages: Manual removal of stubble is labour-intensive and time-consuming.
4. Delayed Crop Harvests: Late harvesting due to monsoon variations leaves even less time before the next sowing cycle.
5. Weak Enforcement: Although burning is banned under the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, enforcement remains inconsistent across districts.
6. Inadequate Incentives: Financial support for residue management has improved but remains insufficient to fully offset burning costs.

Environmental and Health Impacts

The environmental implications of stubble burning are widespread and severe:

• Air Pollution: Burning of crop residue contributes up to 30–40% of particulate matter levels in Delhi–NCR during peak winter months.
• Climate Effects: Emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide add to greenhouse gas concentrations.
• Soil Degradation: Frequent burning reduces soil organic matter, kills beneficial microorganisms, and diminishes fertility over time.
• Health Hazards: The resulting smog leads to respiratory, cardiovascular, and eye-related illnesses among millions of people.
• Visibility and Traffic Risks: Dense smoke causes reduced visibility, often leading to accidents on highways.

Government Measures and Policy Interventions

To address the problem, both central and state governments have implemented multiple interventions since 2016:

1. National Clean Air Programme (NCAP): Introduced by the central government to control air pollution in major cities, including Delhi, with stubble burning as a key target source.
2. Crop Residue Management Scheme (2018 onwards):
   • Financial assistance provided for procurement of machinery such as Happy Seeder, Super-SMS, and Straw Choppers.
   • Subsidies of 50% for individual farmers and 80% for custom hiring centres.
3. Super Straw Management System (Punjab, 2018):
   • Punjab made the attachment of Super-SMS to combine harvesters mandatory to manage residue in situ, reducing the need for burning.
4. Awareness Campaigns:
   • “Tandarust Punjab Mission” and “Kisan Chetna Abhiyan” conducted to promote awareness on the environmental hazards of burning.
5. Incentive and Penalty Mechanisms:
   • Farmers adopting in-situ management receive cash incentives, while burning incidents are penalised under pollution control laws.
6. Technological Monitoring:
   • Real-time satellite tracking of fires by ISRO and the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC) enables daily monitoring and targeted action.
7. Judicial Intervention:
   • The National Green Tribunal (NGT) and Supreme Court of India have repeatedly directed Punjab, Haryana, and UP to enforce bans, distribute machinery, and provide incentives for sustainable alternatives.

Yearly Pattern (2016–2024 Overview)

Challenges in Elimination

Despite visible improvement since 2021, several obstacles continue to hinder complete eradication:

• Economic dependence on paddy cultivation, limiting adoption of crop diversification.
• Limited reach of subsidies for small farmers.
• Inadequate machinery utilisation and maintenance.
• Lack of decentralised biomass utilisation (bio-CNG, composting, and fodder markets).
• Dependence on enforcement rather than behavioural change.

Alternative Uses of Paddy Straw

Efforts are being made to convert crop residue into valuable resources through:

• Bio-CNG and ethanol production plants (in collaboration with oil companies).
• Paper and packaging industries using straw as raw material.
• Animal feed and compost production for sustainable utilisation.

Outlook and Way Forward

Over nearly a decade since 2016, Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh have made gradual progress in reducing stubble-burning incidents through policy, technology, and enforcement.