Punjab Reports 2,347 Stubble-Burning Incidents; Tarn Taran Accounts for 558

The figures, updated up to November 4, show that environmental compensation totalling Rs 40.37 lakh has been imposed, of which Rs 23.05 lakh has been recovered.

The PPCB report stated that authorities inspected 1,942 fields and confirmed fires at 868 locations. Environmental compensation was imposed in 801 cases. Enforcement measures also included the registration of 647 FIRs, the marking of 723 cases with 'red entries' in revenue records and the issuance of 689 warning notices.

Tarn Taran leads district-wise tally

Tarn Taran recorded 558 incidents, followed by Ferozepur with 316, Amritsar with 207, Bathinda with 167 and Sangrur with 163.

Patiala has reported 110 incidents so far. Authorities inspected 67 locations in the district and confirmed fires at 24 of them.

Environmental compensation was imposed in 15 Patiala cases, with fines totalling Rs 80,000. Of this amount, Rs 35,000 has been recovered.

The district also saw 21 FIRs registered in connection with stubble burning, while red entries were made in revenue records in 10 cases. Authorities issued 25 warning notices.

Harvesting largely complete, but fires continue

According to the PPCB data, harvesting has been completed across 85.10 per cent of Punjab's total paddy cultivation area of 32.87 lakh hectares.

Despite the progress in harvesting, incidents of crop-residue burning continue to be reported across the state.

The administration has stepped up enforcement through field inspections, financial penalties, police cases and other measures. However, preventing farmers from setting fire to crop residue remains a significant challenge during the harvesting season.