Stubble Burning In Punjab: NGT Directs Authorities To Identify Violators, Impose Penalty

While taking suo moto cognizance of the rising air pollution in Punjab due to the increasing stubble burning, the principal bench of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has said that in this season mainly “between 15 September to 30 November”, the authorities are required to be vigilant in identifying the violators and in taking “remedial measures, including imposition of penalty.”

It has also directed the Punjab Pollution Control Board (PPCB) to prepare and place on record the area-wise Crop Residue Management Plan to achieve the targets set for reducing stubble burning events.

Chairperson Justice Prakash Shrivastava and Expert Member Dr. A. Senthil Vel said, “For achieving the above targets effective on ground action is required by the responsible authorities. Hence, we direct PPCB to prepare and place on record the area-wise Crop Residue Management Plan.”

NGT also issued notice to the Chief Secretary of Punjab and Member Secretary, Central Pollution Control Board.

The Tribunal further added that, “action taken report be filed by PPCB as also by the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR & Adjoining Areas on or before the next date of hearing…”

The Tribunal took suo moto action on the basis of the newspaper report published in ‘The Hindu’ titled “Pollution takes a front seat as stubble fires spike in Punjab” on October 6.

“As per the said report, the stubble burning is aggravating the air pollution and that till the publication of the newspaper report, the State had witnessed 656 farm fire incidents and the same were up by around 63% against the corresponding period for the previous year. The previous year’s figures upto that period are disclosed to be 415. Hence, the report says there is a rise of 241 cases,” noted the bench.

Such stubble burning around autumn is stated to be one of the biggest contributing factors to the air pollution across the northern region specially the national capital and surrounding areas, the Tribunal added.

On giving advance notice, the PPCB filed the report stating that various steps have been taken by it and the State authorities. However, NGT said, “but, the effective implementation of various measures is the key for controlling the stubble burning in the State.”

The Tribunal directed that the state authorities, as also officers of the PPCB, are required to identify the worst affected areas within the hotspot districts and focus on those areas for proper remedial measures.

The matter is listed for November 08, for further consideration.​​

Title: In re : News item appearing in Hindu dated 06.10.2023 titled “Pollution takes a front seat as stubble fires spike in Punjab”