Haryana has recorded a dramatic 77 per cent reduction in farm fire incidents this season, marking significant progress in pollution control and sustainable agriculture. As of now, the state reported only 171 stubble-burning cases, compared with 888 during the same period last year.
Officials said the drop is the result of a comprehensive crop residue management (CRM) strategy — a combination of in-situ management, ex-situ utilisation, and repurposing residue as fodder. Efforts include free distribution of bio-decomposer powder over 2 lakh acres, and deployment of machines worth ₹94 crore across fields.
Haryana now operates 31 pelletisation and briquetting plants with a combined capacity of 8.17 lakh tonnes per annum, 11 biomass power plants generating 111.9 MW, one 2G-ethanol facility, two CBG plants, and multiple power plants using paddy straw — reflecting a shift from stubble burning toward sustainable energy use.
The state plans to become a “zero-burn” state by 2027. A high-level review chaired by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) and led by Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi, credited farmers, district administrations and vigilant monitoring — including satellite-based fire detection and field-level enforcement — for the success.
Authorities stressed that the next few harvest cycles are critical. They have urged farmers to continue adopting environmentally friendly practices, with strict penalties for violations, as the state moves toward zero stubble burning.
