CAQM Team Reviews Stubble Management Strategies in Punjabs Sangrur, Patiala, and Malerkotla Districts
A high-level CAQM team assessed stubble management efforts in Punjab, urging local departments to monitor and prevent burning incidents.
Punjab, November 1 (Daily Kiran) : A high-level team from the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) conducted an assessment of stubble management practices in Punjab’s Sangrur, Patiala, and Malerkotla districts on November 1. Officials were instructed to closely monitor incidents of stubble burning and to collaborate on preventive measures.
In an official statement, the CAQM team advised local authorities to ensure effective management of rice stubble in accordance with their action plans. The actions taken on the ground should align with established targets.
During the meeting, the district administration reviewed preparations for managing rice stubble and controlling burning incidents. The team visited the ‘Ex-Situ’ stubble utilization center located on Dhuri Road in Malerkotla. This facility operates as a duplex board and paper manufacturing unit, utilizing rice stubble as fuel in its 20 TPF capacity boiler.
Industry representatives indicated that approximately 17,000 metric tons of rice stubble would be used annually in their boiler furnace.
The team also observed ‘In-Situ’ stubble management machines in operation at Ahmedbad village in Malerkotla. The agriculture department demonstrated the functionality of the ‘Super Seeder’ machine. Additionally, the team met with farmers who assured them that they would refrain from burning stubble and would manage it using ‘In-Situ’ machines.
The CAQM team reviewed the arrangements made by the district administration and relevant departments for the effective management of rice stubble during the ongoing harvesting season and efforts to prevent burning incidents.
The team visited various villages in the Bhawani Garh tehsil of Sangrur district. They engaged with farmers in the hotspot village of Gharachon, learning about the district administration’s preparations and the availability of ‘Crop Residue Management’ (CRM) machinery for on-site stubble management. Farmers also shared challenges they faced in utilizing the machinery.
