Punjab sees 50% dip in post-harvest farm fires, yet no effect on Delhi's air quality

Punjab farm fire cases drop by 75% in 2023, contributing to Delhi pollution despite decrease.

Farm fires in Punjab, often blamed for the rise in Delhi's air pollution, have gone down by 50% since last year in the post-harvest period, with little effect on the air quality in the national capital.

From September 15 to October 27, Punjab has seen 1,995 farm fire cases as compared to 4,059 in the corresponding period last year, as per data from the Punjab Remote Sensing Centre.

The farm fire incidents in the period have gone down by 75% since 2022. The State recorded 8,147 farm fires in 2022 in this period.

After paddy harvesting in October and November, stubble burning in Punjab, Haryana and states adjacent to Delhi are said to contribute to pollution in Delhi. Paddy procurement is underway in Punjab.

On Sunday, Punjab saw 138 farm fires — Ferozepur with highest such incidents, followed by Sangrur and Fatehgarh Sahib, according to data.

On the same day in 2022 and 2023, the state had seen 1,111 and 766 farm fires, respectively.

Also Read | With farm fires declining in Punjab and Haryana, Delhi’s pollution woes need other solutions