Hansi (Dinkar Gawri):- The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) held a meeting to review crop residue management in Haryana. The meeting included detailed discussions on effectively preventing stubble-burning incidents during the upcoming busy paddy harvesting season, monitoring crop residue management activities in fields, and raising awareness among farmers against stubble burning. Clear instructions were issued that all concerned departments must work with utmost vigilance and responsibility to prevent stubble-burning incidents during the upcoming peak harvesting season.
The meeting was attended through video conferencing by the Chairman of the Commission for Air Quality Management, the Chief Secretary of the Haryana Government, all Deputy Commissioners of the state, and officials and stakeholders from the Pollution Control Board, Environment Department and other agencies associated with crop residue management. Hansi district was represented by ADC Lakshit Sareen, Sub-Divisional Agriculture Officer Ravinder Kumar, Assistant Agricultural Engineer Gopiram Sangwan and Pollution Control Board Scientist Ms. Kirti.
During the meeting, the ADC was informed that approximately 16 per cent of the crop in the district had been harvested so far. In view of the possibility that the peak harvesting season would continue from November 1 to November 30, there was a need to further strengthen the monitoring system. All concerned departments, officials and field teams were directed to work in coordination to prevent possible stubble-burning incidents during this period.
Keeping the upcoming harvesting season in mind, field teams were instructed to remain vigilant during both daytime and nighttime. Concerned officials were directed to conduct regular inspections in their respective areas and take necessary steps in advance to prevent any possible stubble-burning incident.
Two drones have been allocated to strengthen the district’s monitoring system. Following the process of hiring these drones by Deputy Commissioner Lakshit Sareen, they will soon be deployed in the district. The drones will help monitor villages and agricultural fields, enabling authorities to keep a watch on crop residue burning, particularly at night. They will also help the concerned teams identify sensitive areas and take timely action.
During the meeting, officials and field teams were instructed to establish direct contact with farmers and encourage them to adopt proper crop residue management practices. Farmers will be made aware of the environmental damage caused by stubble burning, air pollution and its adverse effects on human health. They will also be encouraged to use available agricultural machinery and alternative methods for managing crop residue.
The concerned departments were directed to accelerate awareness activities at the village level in coordination with farmers, Gram Panchayats, Agriculture Department officials and other relevant teams. Along with field-level monitoring, special attention is to be given to providing necessary guidance to farmers so that they do not resort to stubble burning.
The review meeting emphasised that crop residue management is not the responsibility of any single department; rather, it requires the active participation of all concerned departments, officials, field teams and farmers. All concerned officials were directed to work with utmost seriousness during the upcoming peak season to maintain effective monitoring, raise farmers’ awareness and prevent stubble-burning incidents.
Special attention will be given to monitoring, awareness and interdepartmental coordination to further strengthen crop residue management efforts in the district. The aim is to ensure environmental protection while encouraging farmers to manage crop residue properly.
