Fatehgarh Sahib Achieves 80% Reduction in Stubble Burning Cases
Fatehgarh Sahib, October 29-
During the current paddy harvesting season, the ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹਾ Administration of Fatehgarh Sahib has successfully reduced stubble burning instances by an astounding 80%. This noteworthy accomplishment demonstrates the ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹਾ’s ongoing dedication to advancing both in-situ and ex-situ crop residue management (CRM) and guaranteeing environmental sustainability through coordinated field activity.
Straw-based companies actively carry out baling operations under ex-situ management in close collaboration with farmers. Paddy straw is being lifted and used for industrial fuel, pelletization, and bio-CNG production by major industries like Shree Ganesh Edibles Pvt. Ltd., Shri Ram Panels Pvt. Ltd., Tiwana Oil Mills Pvt. Ltd., Farm to Fuel, Sohi Green Energy, Jalkheri Power Plant, and Cities Innovative Biofuels Pvt. Ltd. (CBG Plant). By ensuring effective use of agricultural residue, this industry-farmer collaboration has evolved as a sustainable substitute for stubble burning.
Farmers employing Happy Seeders, Super Seeders, and other CRM equipment supplied by the Department of Agriculture are concurrently adopting in-situ management techniques.
Deputy Commissioner Dr. Sona Thind, IAS personally visited the villages of Wazidpur, Bassi Pathana, Sanghol, Ranva, and Mandera (Khamanon Tehsil) to assess the ongoing fieldwork in order to guarantee successful implementation on the ground. Smt. Harveer Brar, SDM Bassi Pathana; Smt. Manreet Rana, SDM Khamanon; Sh. Mohit Singla, XEN, PPCB; Dr. Jagdev Singh, ਮੁੱਖ Agriculture Officer; and Sh. Daman Jhanzi, Agriculture Development Officer, accompanied her on the visit. The Deputy Commissioner also went to M/s ਪੰਜਾਬ Renewable Energy Systems Pvt.’s paddy storage dump as part of the field inspection. Ltd. (PRESPL)
Approximately 12,000 tonnes of paddy straw that were gathered from neighboring villages are being kept for the production of biomass-based energy at the ਪਿੰਡ of Mandera, which is stretched across seven acres. The location demonstrates how the ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹਾ successfully implemented large-scale ex-situ crop residue management techniques through industry cooperation.
The entire hamlet of Wazidpur has abstained from stubble burning this year, according to Sarpanch Sh. Varinder Singh, demonstrating community involvement and environmental consciousness.
The Deputy Commissioner noted that Wazidpur farmers are actively utilizing Super Seeder equipment for efficient in-situ management of paddy straw, with promising outcomes.
The Deputy Commissioner also met Sh. Dilbag Singh, a resident of ਪਿੰਡ Amrala and owner of a baler machine, during the inspection. Singh has set up a straw dump on five acres of land in ਪਿੰਡ Ranva, Khamanon. He is overseeing the baling and ex-situ usage of paddy straw from the neighboring villages of Maheshpura, Ranva Khamanon Kalan, and Khamanon Khurd, making a substantial contribution to the region’s sustainable crop residue management.
257 Nodal Officers and 45 Cluster Officers have been stationed throughout the ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹਾ’s communities to provide stringent field-level supervision. In order to oversee harvesting activities and guarantee prompt response to any stubble-burning activity, these ਪੁਲਿਸ stay in the fields all day.
The ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹਾ has seen an 80% decrease in stubble burning incidences from the prior year as a result of these preventive actions.
Just 15 accidents had been reported as of October 28, 2025, compared to 201 in 2023 and 76 in 2024. Only six places had actual fire, according to verification, and ₹20,000 of the ₹35,000 in environmental compensation had already been retrieved. In accordance with the ਸਰਕਾਰ’s zero-tolerance policy, FIRs have been filed in every confirmed instance.
The Deputy Commissioner praised farmers, field officers, and industry partners for their proactive efforts in putting into practice efficient crop residue management. She underlined that through shared accountability, awareness, and persistent ground-level action, Fatehgarh Sahib is making steady progress towards becoming a “Zero Stubble Burning ਜ਼ਿਲ੍ਹਾ.”
