Indore Administration Starts Crackdown Against Stubble Burning; 77 Panchnamas Made, Penalties To Be Levied

Indore (Madhya Pradesh): The district administration has launched a crackdown on stubble burning incidents following the wheat harvest. So far, Panchnamas have been prepared in 77 cases where farmers were found burning crop residue.

Action will be taken on them in the coming days as per the environmental provisions of the state government.

Acting under the directives of collector Asheesh Singh, officials have intensified monitoring across all tehsils. Singh has instructed teams from the agriculture, revenue, and panchayat departments to maintain constant vigilance and take swift action wherever violations occur.

Although the administration continues to urge farmers to refrain from burning stubble — citing its harmful effects on air quality and soil health — incidents persist across the region.

Authorities emphasise that alternatives to stubble burning are available, and multiple government schemes are in place to support farmers in managing crop residue sustainably.

Despite these appeals, many farmers are still setting fire to leftover stubble. In response, teams are visiting affected fields, recording violations under the Pollution Control Department’s guidelines, and preparing Panchnamas.

According to officials, farmers found guilty of stubble burning will soon face financial penalties based on land size. Farmers with land up to 2 acres: Rs 2,500 per incident, Farmers with 2 to 5 acres: Rs 5,000 per incident, Farmers with more than 5 acres: Rs 15,000 per incident.

Currently, the wheat harvest is nearly complete in the district, which often leads to widespread burning of the remaining stubble. However, experts warn this practice significantly contributes to environmental pollution and damages soil structure — a self-defeating move for agriculture in the long run.

To combat this, the Agriculture Department has been actively raising awareness since February. Teams have been conducting training sessions at the panchayat level to educate farmers on proper stubble management and promote sustainable alternatives.

The administration reiterates its commitment to enforcing environmental laws and supporting farmers in making the transition to eco-friendly farming practices.