CAQM Targets Stubble Burning Hotspots in Amritsar and Tarn Taran
CAQM officials visit Amritsar and Tarn Taran hotspots to review paddy straw management and deploy flying squads to prevent stubble burning.
In a high-stakes move to curb winter air pollution, a senior team from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has launched an intensive inspection of paddy stubble burning prevention measures across Punjab. Led by Dr. S D Attri, Member (Technical) of the CAQM, the delegation visited the districts of Amritsar and Tarn Taran, which have been flagged as critical hotspots for paddy straw fires.
The visit comes at a crucial juncture during the ongoing paddy harvesting season. The commission's primary objective is to eliminate the practice of stubble burning, a major contributor to the deteriorating air quality in the National Capital Region (NCR) and its surrounding areas.
High-Level Review with District Administrations
During the mission, the CAQM team held strategic review meetings with Deputy Commissioners and various district-level officials. The discussions centered on how effectively the administration is coordinating to manage crop residue through both in-situ (on-field) and ex-situ (off-field) methods.
The commission emphasized several key pillars for success:
- Machine Availability: Ensuring farmers have timely access to Crop Residue Management (CRM) machinery.
- Farmer Support: Sensitizing the farming community through Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) activities.
- Logistical Aid: Providing necessary technical and administrative support to facilitate residue management.
Amritsar: Establishing Supply Chains and Help Desks
In Amritsar, the inspection focused on the current status of harvesting and procurement. Officials reported that balers are actively operating to collect paddy straw, creating a vital link between farmers and industries. A dedicated supply chain has been established to send straw bales to industries equipped with boilers, facilitating effective ex-situ management.
To ensure rapid response, Amritsar has implemented the following:
- Control Room: A specialized unit at the District Administrative Complex to identify farmers needing CRM machinery.
- Helpline: A district-level helpline has been launched to allow for the immediate reporting of fire and stubble burning incidents.
Tarn Taran: Meeting Targets and Field Surveillance
The Tarn Taran district has shown significant progress in meeting its procurement targets and ensuring the availability of CRM machinery. Similar to Amritsar, the district is utilizing balers to manage straw effectively. The administration highlighted extensive field patrolling and surveillance conducted by Nodal and Cluster Officers to prevent unauthorized burning.
Flying Squads Deployed Across 18 Districts
To enforce these preventive measures, the CAQM has deployed specialized flying squads across 18 high-risk districts in Punjab. This intensive monitoring period is scheduled to run from October 1 to November 30.
The districts under strict surveillance include:
- Sangrur
- Tarn Taran
- Firozpur
- Muktsar
- Bathinda
- Amritsar
- Moga
- Mansa
- Fazilka
- Patiala
- Ludhiana
- Kapurthala
- Faridkot
- Barnala
- Malerkotla
- Gurdaspur
- Jalandhar
- Fatehgarh Sahib
District officials have expressed their full commitment to implementing the CAQM’s statutory directions, promising concerted efforts to ensure that stubble burning incidents are prevented through both enforcement and farmer-centric support.