CAQM Deploys Flying Squads to Combat Paddy Stubble Burning in Punjab and Haryana.
New Delhi:
In a significant move to tackle the persistent issue of paddy stubble burning, the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) has deployed Flying Squads across 26 districts in Punjab and Haryana. These teams will monitor and report daily on efforts to mitigate incidents of stubble burning during the Kharif season 2024.
From October 1 to November 30, 2024, the Flying Squads, supported by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), will focus on hotspot areas where stubble burning is most prevalent. In Punjab, 16 districts including Amritsar, Ludhiana, and Patiala will be under surveillance, while in Haryana, 10 districts including Hisar and Karnal will receive attention.
The squads will coordinate with district authorities and appointed nodal officers to assess the situation on the ground and implement preventive measures. Their findings will be reported daily to the CAQM and CPCB.
In addition to the Flying Squads, CAQM plans to establish a “Paddy Stubble Management” Cell in Mohali/Chandigarh to enhance collaboration with the Agriculture Department and local agencies throughout the harvesting season. This initiative aims to ensure a coordinated approach to reducing stubble burning and improving air quality in the region.
