Haryana reports 77% drop in stubble burning, aims to be zero-burn state by 2027

Haryana is on track to become a zero stubble-burning state within two years, Chief Secretary Anurag Rastogi said on Friday, citing significant progress in curbing crop residue fires.

The state recorded a 77 per cent reduction in farm fire incidents this season, with only 171 cases reported as of November 6, compared to 888 during the same period last year, Rastogi said after a high-level review chaired by Rajesh Verma, Chairperson of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM). Verma appreciated the joint efforts of Haryana officials and farmers, particularly in Karnal and Kurukshetra districts, for their success in reducing paddy residue burning.

He stressed that the next ten days are critical and directed district administrations to maintain strict vigilance. Rastogi said Haryana’s three-pronged strategy, in-situ management, ex-situ utilisation, and fodder use, has yielded strong results across the state’s 39.31 lakh acres of paddy area. Of this, 44.40 lakh tonnes of residue are being managed in-situ, 19.10 lakh tonnes through ex-situ methods, and 22 lakh tonnes are used as fodder.

The government has promoted sustainable practices by diversifying 19,670 acres from paddy cultivation and encouraging 1.74 lakh farmers to adopt Direct Seeding of Rice (DSR). Financial incentives include Rs 1,200 per acre for residue management, Rs 8,000 for crop diversification, and Rs 4,500 for DSR, with a total outlay of Rs 471 crore.