Mohali records 68% reduction in stubble burning incidents

Amid rising pollution due to farm fires, the Mohali administration has recorded a 68% reduction in stubble burn cases compared to last year.

Deputy commissioner (DC) Aashika Jain stated that 36 cases of stubble burning have been reported so far this year compared to 113 last year. She attributed the significant decline to continuous and concerted efforts by various departments to raise awareness among farmers about the harmful effects of farm fires.

This year, the district identified 12 stubble burning spots during physical verification of 36 cases reported by the Punjab Remote Sensing Center (PRSC). The remaining 24 sites where no signs of fire were observed will be reported to the state for removal from the PRSC data. Environmental compensation ₹An amount of PLN 12,500 was also levied and collected. She stressed that to hold field staff accountable for failure to take timely action to prevent fires, notices have been issued under Section 14 of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) Act.

Senior Superintendent of Police Deepak Pareek added that district police officials were working closely with the civil administration to prevent such incidents.