Punjab logs 1,152 stubble-burning incidents on Diwali; seasonal tally reaches 4,459

Punjab recorded a sharp rise in stubble-burning incidents on Diwali, 8 November. According to reports by India Today and Hindustan Times, ISRO-protocol data logged 1,152 incidents in a single day, taking the seasonal tally to 4,459.

Inspectors checked 2,998 fields, and physical verification confirmed burning at 1,317 sites. Tarn Taran was among the worst-affected districts and was reported to have one of the highest overall tallies.

Action data cited in the reports show fines of ₹62.55 lakh imposed in 1,228 cases, with ₹32.60 lakh recovered.

The increase came even as about 91% of the paddy harvest had been completed, while field-burning incidents continued to be recorded. The reports describe the figures as being recorded through satellite-based monitoring and on-ground verification.

The single-day rise and the seasonal tally are different measures. Inspection figures indicate the number of fields checked, while the physical-verification number records the sites where burning was confirmed.

Along with Tarn Taran, Ferozepur was also listed among the affected districts. This report is limited to the available confirmed data and does not use an unverified additional district figure. The reports present the data as part of seasonal monitoring, rather than an account of only one location.

Sources: India Today and Hindustan Times reports.