Sat Nov 30 20:01:21 UTC 2024: ## Madhya Pradesh Surpasses Punjab and Haryana in Stubble Burning Incidents
**New Delhi, December 1, 2024** – Contrary to popular perception, Madhya Pradesh reported the highest number of stubble burning incidents this year, according to data released by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI). This marks a significant shift, as it’s the first time since 2020 that Madhya Pradesh has topped the list, surpassing Punjab and Haryana, the states often associated with the practice.
While Punjab and Haryana saw a decrease in farm fires, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh experienced an increase. The IARI attributes this rise to various factors, noting that the reasons behind stubble burning differ across these states compared to Punjab and Haryana. A Central government official stated that the significant increase in farm fires in Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Rajasthan is under investigation, with no conclusive reason yet identified.
The practice of burning paddy stubble, done to quickly clear fields for wheat sowing, is a major contributor to air pollution in Delhi and surrounding areas. Reports suggest that some farmers in Punjab and Haryana are employing tactics to avoid detection by burning stubble after 4 p.m., outside the typical satellite monitoring period. Furthermore, the IARI’s harvest season timeframe (September 15 to November 30) may not accurately reflect the reality in all regions.
This data contradicts previous reports suggesting increased paddy burning in Punjab and Haryana, which the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) failed to share publicly or with the Supreme Court. The discrepancy highlights the complexity of the issue and the need for further investigation into the causes and solutions for stubble burning across different regions of India.
First Piper 