India, Dec. 1 -- The stubble-burning season, tracked from September 15 to November 30, ended on Sunday with only five fires detected across Punjab and Haryana. Data from the Indian Agricultural Research Institute shared with the Commission for Air Quality Management shows that farm fire counts have halved in both states compared to last year, easing their annual impact on Delhi's winter air quality.

Punjab reported 5,114 fires this season, sharply down from 10,909 last year. Previous years recorded far higher numbers: 36,663 in 2023, 49,922 in 2022, 71,304 in 2021 and 83,002 in 2020. Haryana logged just 662 fires, its lowest in five years. The state had 1,406 fires last year; 2,303 in 2023; 3,661 in 2022; 6,987 in 2021 and 4,202 in 2020....