CAQM reviews Paddy Stubble Management Measures in Firozpur and Faridkot; stresses Timely Availability of CRM Machinery and Farmer Facilitation

October 17, 2026

Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

High-level team visits Hotspot Villages to assess Ground-level Implementation of Measures to prevent Stubble Burning

प्रविष्टि तिथि: 17 OCT 2026 7:29PM by PIB Delhi

Following its visit to Moga district of Punjab, a high-level team of the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM), led by Dr. T.S. Panwar, Member (Technical), CAQM, visited Firozpur and Faridkot districts today to review the ground-level implementation of measures to prevent paddy stubble burning during the ongoing harvesting season.

The team held a joint review meeting with the Deputy Commissioners (DCs) and concerned district officers of Firozpur and Faridkot at the DC Office in Firozpur. During the meeting, the team reviewed the preparedness of the district administrations and coordination among concerned departments for effective in-situ and ex-situ management and utilisation of paddy stubble. The availability and deployment of Crop Residue Management (CRM) machinery, field-level surveillance, monitoring of hotspot areas and enforcement measures were also reviewed.

The team emphasised the need to strengthen in-situ and ex-situ management of paddy straw, ensure timely availability and optimal utilisation of CRM machinery, and enhance coordination among farmers, aggregators, industries and other stakeholders. The deployment of drones and low-cost sensors for technology-based monitoring and trend analysis was also reviewed, along with efforts to sensitise farmers about the ill-effects of stubble burning and PM2.5.

The Commission stressed the need to facilitate farmers’ access to CRM machines and other in-situ management machinery, along with better coordination with aggregators for effective ex-situ management of paddy straw. The district administrations were advised to ensure timely availability of machinery and close coordination among all stakeholders to prevent stubble-burning incidents.

Following the review meeting, the CAQM team visited selected hotspot villages in Firozpur and Faridkot to assess the prevailing ground-level situation and review the implementation of measures to prevent stubble burning. The visit is part of CAQM’s continued monitoring and review of paddy management measures in hotspot districts of Punjab, with the objective of strengthening in-situ and ex-situ management of paddy straw and preventing stubble-burning incidents in the region.