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CAQM Orders Northern States to Halt Wheat Stubble Burning This Harvest

The Commission for Air Quality Management has issued statutory directions to Punjab, Haryana, and Uttar Pradesh to eliminate wheat stubble burning in the upcoming harvest season. The directive includes forming district-level forces and implementing state action plans with viable alternatives. Satellite data from the 2025 wheat season recorded thousands of fire incidents, underscoring the urgency of these measures. States must also map farms, appoint nodal officers for farmers, and ensure the availability of crop residue management machines.

Key Points: CAQM Directs States to Stop Wheat Stubble Burning

  • Directives to Punjab, Haryana & UP
  • "Parali Protection Force" proposed
  • Satellite data shows over 12,000 fire events
  • Focus on supply chain for straw reuse
2 min read

CAQM tells northern states to curb wheat stubble burning during harvest season

The air quality panel issues strict directives to Punjab, Haryana, and UP to eliminate wheat straw burning, aiming to curb seasonal pollution.

"Satellite-based monitoring... highlighted the need for targeted wheat-season interventions - CAQM Committee"

New Delhi, Feb 16

Aiming to curb harvest season air pollution, the Commission for Air Quality Management on Monday issued Statutory Directions to Punjab, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh for eliminating wheat stubble burning during the upcoming harvest season.

Apart from the suggestion of constituting district level "Parali Protection Force" and night patrols, the Commission directed these States to implement their respective Action Plans to abate the burning of wheat straw, with specific facilitative measures to ensure viable alternatives.

The CAQM, in a statement, said, "Government of NCT of Delhi and the Government of Rajasthan have also been advised to make all possible efforts to eliminate wheat stubble burning incidents during the ensuing harvest season. States shall submit monthly progress reports to the Commission for continuous monitoring and necessary action."

The CAQM said that, as per the standard protocol developed by ISRO/IARI, the number of fire events recorded during the wheat harvest season (April 1 to May 31, 2025) in Punjab, Haryana, and NCR districts of Uttar Pradesh was 10,207, 1,832, and 259, respectively.

"Satellite-based monitoring during the wheat harvesting season (April-May 2025) recording such fire incidents across the region, highlighted the need for targeted wheat-season interventions alongside existing paddy-season measures," said the Committee.

Other instructions issued to the three states include mapping each farm in all the villages for the proposed mode of wheat stubble management (crop diversification/in-situ management/ ex-situ management/fodder).

The CAQM asked the states to tag specific nodal officers to a group of farmers, covering all farmers in the district, reminding them that a maximum of 100 farmers could be tagged with each nodal officer, for effective monitoring.

It also directed the governments to ensure optimum utilisation and timely availability of crop residue management (CRM) machines to the farmers, mainly during the peak harvesting season, through a mobile app.

The air panel also asked the States to provide adequate and appropriate storage facilities for wheat straw, ensuring minimisation of losses due to fire.

"Establish a robust and continuous supply chain of wheat straw in various forms for ex-situ applications, including its use as fodder. A District Level Supply Chain Management Plan to be formulated for each District, considering demand and supply throughout the year," said the CAQM.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priyanka N
As someone from a farming family in Haryana, I appreciate the focus. But the government needs to ensure the CRM machines are affordable and available on time. Last season, the app for booking was glitchy. Alternatives must be practical, not just on paper.
A
Aman W
Good move by CAQM. The numbers are shocking - over 10,000 fire events in Punjab alone! Satellite monitoring is smart. But will there be any real penalties for violations, or is this just another advisory that will be ignored?
S
Sarah B
The supply chain plan for wheat straw as fodder is a brilliant idea. It can turn waste into a resource and help dairy farmers. Hope they implement it properly across districts. This is the kind of circular economy thinking we need.
V
Vikram M
Night patrols? Seriously? Instead of policing farmers, provide them with better solutions and subsidies. Burning is the cheapest and quickest method for them before the next sowing. Address the root cause, not just the symptom.
K
Kavya N
Mapping each farm is a massive task, but necessary. Hope the data is used to provide customized solutions. Different villages might need different approaches - in-situ management won't work everywhere. Jai Kisan! 🙏

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