MP leads with 11,382 stubble-burning cases; 5,871 in last 7 days

Madhya Pradesh has the highest number of stubble-burning cases in India this year, reporting 11,382 incidents. Alarmingly, 5,871 of these occurred in the past week, outpacing Punjab (2,034) and Uttar Pradesh (1,613). Experts attribute this rise to the growing area under paddy cultivation in Madhya Pradesh, a shift from the soybean dominance of earlier years.

This disturbing trend is worsening air quality in the state and raising concerns about its impact on neighbouring regions. While Punjab and Haryana have reduced stubble-burning cases through effective measures, Madhya Pradesh’s numbers have doubled in four years, underscoring the need for urgent action.

Madhya Pradesh leads stubble crisis

Stubble burning releases fine particulate matter, contributing to smog, respiratory illnesses, and cardiovascular diseases. The problem now affects smaller towns and rural areas, not just big cities like Delhi.

Ravindra Khaiwal, Professor of Environmental Health at PGIMER Chandigarh, says, “Air pollution affects cities of all sizes and pollution levels in smaller towns. Stubble burning, especially in Punjab, Haryana, and Madhya Pradesh, contributes significantly to this crisis.”

He added, “Despite progress, like a 70% decline in stubble-burning incidents in Punjab and over 40% in Haryana, the challenge persists in other regions. We need robust data, state-specific solutions, and community awareness. Adopting alternative farming practices and better waste management is crucial to controlling these fires and their environmental effects.”

The worst affected districts are Sheopur (2,424 cases), Narmadapuram (1,462), and Jabalpur (1,121), where large-scale stubble burning poses risks to human health, soil productivity, and wildlife habitats.

The rise in stubble burning in Madhya Pradesh is linked to a significant increase in paddy cultivation. Over the last decade, the paddy area has doubled from 16.5 lakh hectares to 33.5 lakh hectares, largely at the expense of soybean, which declined from 58 lakh hectares in 2012 to 52 lakh hectares in 2024.

Farmers burn stubble for convenience

Farmers burn paddy stubble to quickly and cheaply clear fields for Rabi crops like wheat. Rajiv Chaudhary, Director of the Agricultural Engineering Department, acknowledged this shift and the challenges it created: "Farmers burn stubble to save costs and time. While we offer subsidies on equipment like Happy Seeders and Super Seeders, more awareness is needed. Efforts like compressed biogas plants in Satna, Bhopal, and Jabalpur will give farmers alternatives to burning stubble, but results will take time."

In Punjab and Haryana, stubble burning has decreased by 86% and 40%, respectively, over the last four years, thanks to measures such as

• Fines up to ₹25,000 for burning stubble.

• Up to 50% subsidies on stubble-management machinery.

• Innovative uses for stubble as fuel in brick kilns.

In Madhya Pradesh, enforcement of such policies has been inconsistent, and monitoring mechanisms remain weak. Experts stress that the state must replicate Punjab and Haryana’s model to curb the escalating crisis.

Environmental activists and policymakers urge Madhya Pradesh to act swiftly. PG Naaz Pandey, a senior environmental activist from Jabalpur, highlighted the urgency: "For years, the issue was ignored in Madhya Pradesh. Now that the state leads in stubble-burning cases, urgent action is required. The government must adopt serious measures to tackle this problem."

Pandey added that while penalties and subsidies are important, long-term solutions require engaging local communities, increasing awareness, and providing financial support for alternative methods.

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