The annual season ofstubble burningis almost over with the daily combined count in Punjab and Haryana staying below 200. Both Punjab and Haryana have recorded lowest paddy residue burning events this year since 2020, shows data of Indian Agricultural Research Institute (IARI), which follows the standard protocol notified by the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) in 2021.
Between September 15 and November 23, Punjab and Haryana have witnessed a reduction of fire counts by 30% and 48%, respectively, this year as against last year.
Punjab has recorded 49,604 farm fires between September 15 and November 23 in 2022 as compared to 71,181 in 2021 and 82,693 in 2020. Data from the stubble burning season of 2021 shows that the daily fire counts crossed 4,000 on six days, including three days when per day counts were higher than 5,000. However, the highest single day count was 3,916 on November 11.