This Harvest Season Stubble Burning In Punjab And Haryana Have Come Down Drastically
Haryana has reported over 1,600 cases of stubble burning from across the state since April. And out of this, more than 1,300 were reported in the past ten days, data from the Haryana State Pollution Control Board (HSPCB) showed.
In neighbouring Punjab, too, hundreds of farm fires have been reported as the harvest is being concluded in most parts of the state.
What caused reduction in stubble burning?
But comparative data from previous years show that in both Haryana and Punjab, the number of farm fires has drastically come down?by as much as 50-70% in some cases.
A combination of factors, including awareness campaigns, rains and the use of straws for dry fodder, has been credited for the reduction of stubble burning this harvest season.
We don't have a choice: farmers?
Despite knowing the harmful effects, farmers have long argued that they are forced to resort to stubble burning as they don't have an alternative to clear their fields to sow the next crop.
The Centre decriminalised stubble burning in November 2021 following demands from farmer groups.
New rules to penalise stubble burning
Last month the Environment Ministry had notified rules, empowering the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to impose environmental compensation on farmers burning stubble in Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and areas of Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh under the National Capital Region.
According to ministry officials, state authorities have already been imposing environmental compensation on farmers found burning stubble in these areas in compliance with directions of the National Green Tribunal.
"The commission (CAQM) may impose and collect environmental compensation on farmers liable for burning stubble," the notification said.
What are the fines?
The quasi-judicial body formed in 2021 can impose fines up to Rs 2,500 on farmers owning 2 acres, Rs 5,000 on those having 2 acres to five acres, and Rs 15,000 on those owning five acres or more, according to the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (Imposition, Collection and Utilization of Environmental Compensation for Stubble Burning) Rules, 2023.
The environmental compensation will be collected through a challan and deposited in the respective state pollution control board or committees' account.
The erring farmers are required to pay the environmental compensation within 30 days of receiving the challan, failing which a certificate specifying the amount due will be prepared and forwarded to the officer authorised by the state government to recover the fee as an arrear of land revenue. The officer maintaining land revenue records will also mark the record with a red entry against the farmer found to have burnt stubble.
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