Stubble burning incidents plummet by 65% in U.P. from 2017 to 2022: Govt
Uttar Pradesh has successfully reduced incidents of stubble burning by 65.65% between 2017 and 2022, according to a government report. The chief secretary has issued directives to halt the practice and implement awareness campaigns through various media channels. Teams at different levels will work together to raise awareness and engage the community.
LUCKNOW Uttar Pradesh has successfully curbed incidents of stubble burning, according to a recent presentation made before chief secretary Durga Shankar Mishra. A government statement released on Thursday revealed a 65.65% drop in stubble burning incidents between 2017 and 2022.
The presentation highlighted data from the Promotion of Agricultural Mechanization for In-Situ Management of Crop Residue (CRM) scheme for the financial year 2022. In 2022, a total of 3,017 incidents of crop residue burning were reported, marking a 65% decrease from the 8,784 incidents recorded in 2017, as stated in the report.
In response, the chief secretary issued directives to halt the practice of crop residue burning. The agriculture department has been tasked with conducting awareness and publicity campaigns through IEC programs.
The directives stressed the importance of using print media for publicity and implementing awareness initiatives at various levels, including district, state, and Nyaya Panchayat levels. Stubble management awareness programs should also be organized through village-level farmer schools. Additionally, radio jingles, television audio-visual clips, and scrolling messages on TV should be broadcast to raise awareness.
The directives also called for the dissemination of pamphlets for farmer training programs and the demonstration of agricultural equipment. Public awareness campaigns should involve the use of vehicles, and farmers should be informed through wall writings and paintings.
Agricultural machinery designed for crop residue management should be made available through the Single Agricultural Machinery and Farm Machinery Bank.
Furthermore, the directives emphasized the need to establish teams at various levels, including the village, Nyaya Panchayat, development block, tehsil, and district, to work together in raising awareness and engaging the community. Gram Panchayat awareness meetings should be scheduled, and activities such as Prabhat Pheri and Gram Pradhan Sammelan should be organized within the Gram Panchayats.
At the district level, effective measures should be taken by ensuring coordination among officials from various departments, including sugarcane, basic education, revenue, rural development, Panchayati Raj, local bodies, police, transport, and agriculture, according to the directives issued by the chief secretary.
