Full Breakdown
Stubble-Burning Surge Across Seven Indian States
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Between September 15 and October 17, Madhya Pradesh recorded 354 stubble-burning incidents, nearly double the same period last year, according to data released by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI). Punjab followed with 220 fires, of which 176 originated in the border districts of Amritsar and Tarn Taran. Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Delhi reported smaller counts, while Rajasthan and other states added to a cumulative total of 1,350 cases reported across the seven states by October 21.
State-wise Tallies and Trends
- Madhya Pradesh: 354 incidents (Sept 15-Oct 17); earlier periods showed 187 in 2025 and 262 in 2024, indicating a rising trend.
- Punjab: counts vary by reporting date – 220, 343 (Oct 19), 368 (Oct 19), and 454 (Oct 21) according to Punjab officials.
- Rajasthan: 229 and 197 cases.
- Uttar Pradesh: 134 and 190.
- Uttarakhand: 24 and 72.
- Haryana: 8 and 11.
- Delhi: a single incident reported.
The variation in Punjab’s daily tallies reflects ongoing reporting updates rather than contradictory data.
Enforcement and Administrative Response
The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) issued notices to the deputy commissioners of Amritsar and Tarn Taran on October 16, demanding explanations by 5 PM on October 21, 2026; failure to respond will trigger action under the relevant Act. Punjab authorities have intensified enforcement:
- FIRs: 22–39 First-Information Reports registered under Section 223 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita for disobedience of public-servant orders.
- Compensation: Environmental fines of Rs 4.1 lakh (80 cases) and Rs 7.20 lakh (142 cases) imposed, with partial recovery reported.
- Land-record entries: Red entries made in 57–106 cases, primarily in Tarn Taran and Amritsar.
- Notices: 94–152 nodal and supervisory officers received warning or show-cause notices.
Impact on Air Quality Management
The surge prompted a high-level CAQM team to visit Punjab, urging “all-out efforts” to curb farm fires. Persistent hotspots in Tarn Taran and Amritsar underscore challenges for air-quality regulation during the paddy-harvesting season.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Punjab’s fire tallies differ across dates (220, 343, 368, 454), reflecting real-time updates rather than contradictory sources. No data are available beyond October 21 2026, leaving the effectiveness of upcoming CAQM actions unassessed.
