Patiala, May 19 -- Despite repeated appeals to farmers to shun stubble burning, the farm fire incidents have reached 9,266 in the state, according to the Punjab Pollution Control Board's (PPCB) data. In comparison, 10,327 such cases were recorded during the corresponding period in 2024, suggesting a 10.27% dip in stubble burning incidents this time.

According to the official data, Amritsar district, with 1,043 stubble burning cases so far, has emerged as the biggest contributor this season. Gurdaspur followed with 811 cases, while Moga and Ferozepur reported 789 and 692 incidents, respectively.

Notably, the PPCB begins its monitoring of stubble burning annually on April 1, coinciding with the wheat harvesting season in Punjab, and conti...