Ferozepur DC ramps up patrols to enforce stubble burning ban
Ferozepur, November 3, 2024 : To urge the farmers to adopt sustainable stubble management practices, Deputy Commissioner Deepakshi Sharma has been actively campaigning against stubble burning in Ferozepur district. She has visited several villages, including Mallanwala, Sabhrao, Mallawala, Gatta Badshah, Makhu, and Harike.
Farms, where fires were reported, were promptly extinguished with the assistance of police and fire brigade personnel, with the Deputy Commissioner personally overseeing the operations. In certain cases, the cases have also been registered against individuals and unidentified persons with a view to give a message to others to stop stubble burning which pollutes the environment besides causing health hazards.
Despite the Supreme Court and National Green Tribunal's directives, a few instances of stubble burning were reported. The fire brigade promptly extinguished these fires. DC commended farmers who refrained from burning stubble and announced rewards for their compliance. She also warned that those who continue to burn stubble will face legal action and potential loss of government benefits.
To ensure strict adherence to the National Green Tribunal's ban on stubble burning, officials are conducting regular patrols in villages. Joint patrols by civil and police officers are effectively preventing such incidents.
DC reiterated the government's zero-tolerance policy towards stubble burning and appealed to farmers and residents to cooperate. She urged farmers who have already harvested to motivate their peers to support sustainable farming practices.
These efforts are part of a broader initiative to protect the environment and public health in Punjab by promoting sustainable farming practices and discouraging harmful stubble burning. However, this year, the farm fire incidents have gone down considerably as compared to the last two years.