NASA spots Punjab, Haryana stubble fires on satellite, follow yearly patterns

According to a new analysis by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), fires in Punjab and Haryana have begun showing up on NASA's VIIRS satellite, repeating patterns of stubble fires from before. Since September 1, over 200 farm fires have been recorded in Punjab's Majha region.

Towards the end of September, every year, stubble fires show up on satellite imagery, increasing all the way until the month of October.

New data suggest close to 66 fires were recorded in Punjab on September 29, while 23 were recorded in Haryana.


“Over 200 farm fires have been reported in the Majha region (Amritsar and Tarn Taran) of Punjab so far. Satellite-derived fire event data over the last few years indicates a recurring pattern of early stubble burning in the region that commences in the last week of September,” LS Kurinji, programme associate at CEEW, told TOI.

Experts say that it is too early to compare data as the effects of the monsoon are still at play, with Punjab, Haryana, Delhi and Uttar Pradesh seeing rains as recently as last week.

Kurinji says that considering the scenario, the Punjab government needs to ensure timely access to crop residue management solutions.

“The fires we are witnessing these days seem to be following the trend observed in corresponding periods over the last five years. Targeted awareness campaigns and surveillance in high-burn villages are needed to stop stubble burning,” Kurinji told TOI.

As for crop residue management, according to the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM), Punjab and the states in the NCR have prepared action plans to combat stubble burning, with a bio-decomposer solution - developed by the Indian Agricultural Research Institute - which is to be sprayed over six lakh acres in Haryana, one lakh acres in Haryana and 7,413 acres in Punjab.

Each state has also been asked to adopt a standard protocol developed by ISRO to monitor farm fire counts this season.