SYLLABUS
GS-3: Environmental pollution and degradation.
Context: Punjab reported about 70% fewer farm fire incidents in 2024 compared to 2023, even as the total area burnt increased, raising concerns over the accuracy and authenticity of official data.
Key highlights of the Report
• According to data from the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre (PRSC) and the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB):
- 2024: 10,909 farm fire incidents.
- 2023: 36,663 farm fire incidents, marking a 70 per cent decline.
• Despite the reduction in the number of fires, the total burnt area increased slightly to 19.17 lakh hectares in 2024 from 19.14 lakh hectares in 2023.
• The report also noted that paddy cultivation expanded to 31 lakh hectares in 2024 from 30.02 lakh hectares in 2023.
Concerns Over Data Reliability
• Experts have pointed out that the rise in burnt area despite fewer reported fires indicates possible under-reporting of incidents.
• Some farmer are suspected to have burnt stubble outside satellites pass timing to evade detection.
• Farm fire incidents are recorded daily, while burnt areas are assessed weekly, creating potential gaps in monitoring.
• Former officials have cautioned that if the number of fires had genuinely fallen, the burnt area should have declined correspondingly.
Government Measures and Response
• The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has directed states to enhance surveillance, deploy field squads, and promote the use of paddy-straw biomass pellets in brick kilns.
• Both Union and State governments claim progress through subsidised machinery for residue management and stricter enforcement against stubble burning.
• These measures aim to reduce residue burning, improve air quality across northern India, and strengthen transparency in satellite-based monitoring of farm fires.
UPSC Mains Practice Question
Q. Despite a sharp decline in reported farm fire incidents in Punjab, the total burnt area under paddy residue has increase. Examine the reasons behind this discrepancy in data and suggest measures to enhance accuracy in stubble burning monitoring systems.