The state action plan attempts to eliminate stubble burning cases this year in 6 districts namely Hoshiarpur, Malerkotla, Pathankot, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar (Mohali) and SBS Nagar
With the aim of significant reduction in incidents of stubble burning in Punjab through enforcement of the state and district action plans including effective utilisation of the crop residue management (CRM) machineries, the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR & Adjoining Areas (CAQM) comprehensively reviewed the preparedness of the Punjab government.
The state action plan envisages at least 50% reduction in fire counts in Punjab during 2023 compared to last year. The plan attempts elimination of paddy stubble burning cases this year in 6 districts namely Hoshiarpur, Malerkotla, Pathankot, Rupnagar, SAS Nagar (Mohali) and SBS Nagar.
As per the state action plan of Punjab, the total area under paddy is estimated to be about 31 lakh hectares and paddy straw generation is expected to be around 20 million tonnes (MT), this year. The paddy straw generation from non-basmati crop is about 16 MT.
The aim is to use the paddy straw for various industrial and energy generation projects. It is estimated that in 2023, state envisages to manage around 11.5 MT of paddy straw through in-situ management and about 4.67 MT of paddy straw through ex-situ management. Sizable quantity of straw will also be used as cattle fodder.
The commission asked for a detailed mapping of the available crop residue management (CRM) machines and their optimal utilisation and availability, particularly for small/marginal farmers. Punjab currently has 1,17,672 CRM Machines and around 23,792 custom hiring centres (CHCs) have been established in Punjab. The state has further planned to procure more than 23,000 machines during 2023.
In ex-situ management, the paddy straw generated is to be used in briquetting/pelleting plants, bio-ethanol plants, biomass based power plants, CBG plants, cardboard factories etc.
The state government has also identified land parcels for enhancing straw storage capacity.
In the review meeting district collectors of Punjab assured that mechanisms are in place towards management of straw in their respective districts through In-situ and ex-situ management. State government plans the application of bio decomposer in 8,000 acres of paddy area.
This year, CAQM has also sought specific district-wise action plans along with the state action plan. The commission has also issued statutory directions for strict implementation of the action plans.