Chandigarh: Tarn Taran has reported the highest number of farm-fire incidents in Punjab this harvesting season, accounting for 397 of the 1,007 stubble-burning cases recorded across the state up to October 29, 2026.
Amritsar, with 171 incidents, and Ferozepur, with 104, are the other major contributors to the state’s tally, according to the latest monitoring and enforcement report. The figures come as Punjab continues its efforts to prevent farmers from burning paddy residue after harvesting.
The report shows that crop burning was physically verified at 379 locations. Authorities have registered 246 FIRs in connection with the incidents, while environmental compensation has been imposed in several cases.
Rs 17.50 lakh compensation imposed
The enforcement drive has resulted in environmental compensation totalling Rs 17.50 lakh. Of this amount, Rs 13.15 lakh has been recovered so far, the report indicates.
A total of 348 cases feature in the environmental compensation records. The monitoring exercise has also led to 426 warning notices being issued to nodal and supervisory officers.
District-wise figures show uneven spread
Apart from the three leading districts, Gurdaspur recorded 72 incidents and Kapurthala reported 63. Sangrur accounted for 12 cases, while Hoshiarpur recorded 12 and Ludhiana six.
At the lower end of the district figures, Moga reported seven incidents, Mansa recorded seven, and several other districts had only a small number of cases. No incidents were recorded in the report for a number of districts, including Barnala and Bathinda.
Meanwhile, the state had completed harvesting on 64.50 per cent of its total paddy area by October 29. With harvesting still underway, the incident count remains subject to change.
The latest figures highlight the concentration of farm fires in a few districts and the continuing role of field verification, police action and financial penalties in Punjab’s campaign against stubble burning.
