Madhya Pradesh Records Highest Incidents of Stubble Burning, Surpasses Punjab and Haryana
13 May 2025, Bhopal: Madhya Pradesh has recorded the highest number of stubble burning incidents in the country this season, overtaking Punjab and Haryana, which have traditionally seen higher cases. Between April 1 and May 7, the state reported 31,413 incidents of stubble burning. This figure is significantly higher than the total incidents reported in Punjab (2,238), Haryana (950), Uttar Pradesh (11,408), and Delhi (33). The data has been compiled using satellite remote sensing by the Consortium for Research on Agro-Ecosystem Monitoring and Modeling from Space (CREAMS), a laboratory under the Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
Sharp Rise Over the Years
Over the past four years, Madhya Pradesh has witnessed a steady increase in stubble burning cases. This upward trend continues despite Chief Minister Mohan Yadav’s recent directive on April 24, urging stricter action against the practice. Yadav stated that since Madhya Pradesh is an agrarian state, any farmer found burning crop residue, commonly known as ‘narwai’, would be barred from receiving benefits under the Chief Minister Kisan Kalyan Yojana. Furthermore, their crop would not be procured at the Minimum Support Price in the following season. The decision was announced to be implemented from May 1, as a measure to protect the environment, preserve soil health, and maintain land productivity.
Satellite Monitoring Reveals Surge
According to CREAMS laboratory, stubble burning cases in Madhya Pradesh between April 25 and May 7 have surged compared to previous years. During the same period, the state reported 25,385 cases in 2022, 17,142 in 2023, and 12,345 in 2024, which has now jumped to 31,413 in 2025. Among all districts, Vidisha has recorded the highest number of incidents in the country, with 4,410 cases. Notably, Vidisha is represented in the Lok Sabha by Union Minister for Agriculture, Farmers’ Welfare, and Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
The CREAMS laboratory has been using a standardized protocol based on satellite data to monitor and assess stubble burning events. The data highlights a concerning trend of increasing incidents in Madhya Pradesh over recent years.
Gap Between Policy and Reality
Despite several official claims and policy announcements, the ground reality remains grim. On November 20, 2024, Chief Secretary Anurag Jain had issued directives to take immediate action to curb stubble burning around urban areas and enforce penal measures in line with Supreme Court guidelines. Similarly, on February 21, State Agriculture Minister Edal Singh Kansana claimed that strict measures had been taken to reduce the practice. He had also reported the distribution of over 42,500 agricultural machines to farmers for residue management.
While enforcement actions were taken in areas such as Bhopal and Indore, the overall figures suggest that these efforts have fallen short of resolving the issue.
The rising number of stubble burning cases in Madhya Pradesh poses a serious threat to the environment, soil fertility, and public health. Experts believe that without widespread awareness, the adoption of alternative residue management practices, and strict monitoring, it will be difficult to control the situation.
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