Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana has seen a significant decline, according to the Union environment ministry. In 2020, there were 83,002 fires in Punjab, but this number dropped to 71,304 in 2021, further reducing to 49,922 in 2022, and significantly to 36,663 in 2023. This indicates a 27 per cent reduction in farm fires in 2023 compared to the previous year. The reduction is even more substantial when compared to 2021 and 2020, with a 49 per cent and 56 per cent decrease, respectively.

In Haryana, the trend is similar. In 2020, there were 4,202 farm fires, which increased to 6,987 in 2021, then decreased to 3,661 in 2022, and further dropped to 2,303 in 2023. This marks a 37 per cent reduction in 2023 compared to 2022, with significant reductions of 67 per cent compared to 2021 and 45 per cent compared to 2020.

The ministry highlighted positive developments in specific districts. In Punjab, four districts saw over a 50 per cent reduction in fires in 2023 compared to 2022, and five districts showed improvements ranging from 27 per cent to 50 per cent. In Haryana, three districts recorded more than a 50 per cent reduction in fires in 2023 than in 2022, while five districts saw improvements of up to 37 per cent. However, it's worth noting that five other districts in Haryana experienced an increase in fire counts in 2023.

The data also reveals a positive trend in the number of days with high fire counts. In Punjab, there were only four days in 2023 where fires exceeded 2000 counts, down from 16 in 2020, 14 in 2021, and 10 in 2022. Similarly, Haryana witnessed only three days in 2023 where farm fires exceeded 100 counts, down from 16 in 2020, 32 in 2021, and 15 in 2022.

These statistics demonstrate a commendable effort in reducing stubble burning in the region. Farmers in both Punjab and Haryana seem to be adopting alternative practices, contributing to the decline in farm fires. The consistent decrease in fire counts over the years reflects a positive shift in agricultural practices.

It's important to acknowledge the role of government initiatives and awareness programs that likely played a part in educating farmers about the environmental impact of stubble burning. Encouraging sustainable farming practices and providing farmers with viable alternatives are crucial steps in addressing this issue.

However, challenges still exist, as indicated by the increase in fire counts in some districts of Haryana. Understanding the factors contributing to this increase and implementing targeted strategies in these specific areas can further enhance the overall success of stubble burning reduction efforts.

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