90% Drop in Stubble Burning Cases in Punjab — Mann Government’s Plan Proves Effective

Sharp decline in stubble burning incidents marks a major victory for Punjab Government

Chandigarh, Oct 2025: Punjab has achieved a remarkable turnaround this year in its fight against stubble burning and air pollution — a success now being seen as a model for the entire nation. Since the Aam Aadmi Party government came to power in 2022, Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann made the issue a top priority, treating it not merely as an environmental problem but as a matter crucial to Punjab’s future.

Right from the beginning, the government made it clear: Punjab’s air will no longer choke with smoke. The results speak volumes — between September 15 and October 21, 2021, Punjab recorded 4,327 cases of stubble burning. In 2025, that number dropped to just 415, marking a record 90% reduction. This drastic improvement reflects the seriousness and sustained ground-level efforts of the Mann Government.

The administration ensured that stubble management moved beyond paperwork and into the fields. Campaigns were launched across all districts. Thousands of Crop Residue Management (CRM) machines were provided to farmers, enabling them to mulch stubble back into the soil instead of setting it on fire. Village-level teams were formed, block-level monitoring was intensified, and officials were made directly accountable for preventing even a single fire.

This strict and strategic approach brought visible results in districts like Sangrur, Bathinda, and Ludhiana, which were previously known as stubble-burning hotspots. Where thousands of cases used to be reported every year, the numbers have now fallen drastically — in some regions, nearly to zero.

The government’s aggressive measures have also visibly improved air quality. In October 2025, Ludhiana, Patiala, and Amritsar — Punjab’s major industrial and agricultural hubs — saw their Air Quality Index (AQI) improve by 25% to 40% compared to previous years. The impact has even been felt in Delhi-NCR, where smog levels linked to Punjab’s fields have significantly eased. Punjab’s image is now shifting from one associated with pollution to one representing environmental solutions.

A key factor in this success has been the partnership with farmers, not confrontation. The Mann Government assured farmers that they would not be left alone in this mission. Farmers responded positively, adopting new methods and using CRM machinery extensively. Many villages have started turning stubble into compost or bio-energy, reflecting a new mindset — that farming and environmental protection can go hand in hand.

Through determination and collaboration, Punjab has shown that when intent is strong and policies are implemented sincerely, even decades-old problems can be solved. The Mann Government’s focused campaign against stubble burning is not driven by slogans but by real, on-ground action.

Today, Punjab stands as an inspiration for the entire country. What was once a symbol of pollution has now become a symbol of transformation. With clean air, greener fields, and empowered farmers, Punjab is proving that progress and sustainability can grow together. The Mann Government’s success has not only cleaned the skies of Punjab but also set a new benchmark for environmental governance across India.