Farm fires explode: Ferozepur worst hit in Punjab’s wheat belt

Bathinda: Punjab's farm fire count has surged past the 7,000-mark after 932 cases were recorded in the last 24 hours. Despite the state trailing Madhya Pradesh (MP) in national totals, Punjab continues to report the highest daily cases among the five monitored states. Ferozepur has emerged as the worst-affected district with 670 incidents, followed closely by Bathinda and Tarn Taran.Nationally, the wheat harvesting season has seen 59,659 total fire cases. Madhya Pradesh remains the biggest contributor, accounting for nearly 59% (35,092 cases) of this season's total. Long-term data from CREAMS shows that MP has consistently led the country over the last five years, followed by Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Punjab. During the previous 2025 Kharif season, MP also topped the list for paddy stubble burning.In Punjab, authorities have intensified a crackdown to curb the practice. By Friday evening, 306 FIRs were registered under Section 223 of the BNS, with the highest concentration of legal action in Sangrur (71) and Patiala (57). Additionally, 503 "red entries" have been marked in land records, and environmental compensation totaling ₹42.80 lakh has been imposed across 875 cases.Other states monitored on Saturday included Haryana (103 cases), Uttar Pradesh (251), and Madhya Pradesh (379). While Punjab's total sits at 7,086 cases, Uttar Pradesh has recorded 14,324 and Haryana 3,097 so far this season. Of the ₹42.8 lakh in fines imposed in Punjab, only ₹2.55 lakh has been recovered to date. MSID:: 130979502 413 |